Establishment of a novel brainstem ischemic dysphagia model: single-cell sequencing reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying mPES intervention

作者：Yueqin Tian, Qianqian Wang, Jingmei Hu, Jia Qiao, Chao Li, Xiangxiang Zhang, Tingting Jiang, Nenggui Xu, Hongmei Wen, Zulin Dou, Qiuping Ye · 发表于：Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1186/s12984-025-01841-3 · 被引用次数：1 · 研究领域：Dysphagia Assessment and Management、Tracheal and airway disorders、Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues

OBJECTIVE: Previous animal models of post-stroke dysphagia (PSD) have limitations-these models are primarily induced by cortical strokes. Compared to cortical strokes, brainstem strokes are more likely to cause dysphagia, and the pathological mechanisms underlying dysphagia differ by focal infarction location. This study aimed to create a novel rat dysphagia model via brainstem ischemia (BSI) and explore modified pharyngeal electrical stimulation (mPES) therapy. METHODS: Rat brainstem ischemia was induced by photochemical embolization, confirmed by MRI and pathology. Swallowing function was assessed using Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS), while motor and neurobehavioral changes were evaluated through behavioral tests. Post-mPES treatment, VFSS was conducted to evaluate the swallowing function and single-cell transcriptomics was performed to explore therapeutic mechanisms. RESULTS: The BSI model showed stable dysphagia characteristics, with prolonged pharyngeal transit time, increased inter-swallowing interval and smaller bolus size area. mPES significantly improved these parameters. Behavioral tests revealed BSI caused anxiety-like behavior and worse motor performance in rats. Single-cell transcriptomics indicated mPES treatment involved multiple biological mechanisms, possibly exerting therapeutic effects by influencing oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelin, or synapse regeneration and repair. CONCLUSION: The novel BSI-induced dysphagia model exhibited stable s...