Julien Wan
The integrative brainstem network that underlies swallowing and associated processes like respiration has been partially understood through neurophysiological studies of the nuclei of the Nucleus Tractus Solitarius (NTS) and surrounding regions. Although the NTS is likewise abundant in neuropeptides and other neuroactive compounds, there is little known about how these compounds affect the neurons engaged in swallowing in general. An expanded understanding of and focus on these regulatory mechanisms is necessary since their malfunction in the NTS region may play a role in pathophysiological disorders including dysphagia. This article summarises new findings in neurophysiology and neurochemistry that shed light on the afferent inputs and neurophysiological characteristics of neurons in the NTS and nearby caudal brainstem regions implicated in swallowing, respiration, and reflexes linked to breathing.