Suckling, Feeding, and Swallowing: Behaviors, Circuits, and Targets for Neurodevelopmental Pathology.

ABSTRACT: All mammals must suckle and swallow at birth, and subsequently chew and swallow solid foods, for optimal growth and health. These initially innate behaviors depend critically upon coordinated development of the mouth, tongue, pharynx, and larynx as well as the cranial nerves that control these structures. Disrupted suckling, feeding, and swallowing from birth onward-perinatal dysphagia-is often associated with several neurodevelopmental disorders that subsequently alter complex behaviors. Apparently, a broad range of neurodevelopmental pathologic mechanisms also target oropharyngeal and cranial nerve differentiation. These aberrant mechanisms, including altered patterning, progenitor specification, and neurite growth, prefigure dysphagia and may then compromise circuits for additional beha

SUBMITTER: Maynard TM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7359496 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature