Analysis of cerebral functions stimulated by mastication on malocclusions by using PET

本研究的目的是为了获得咀嚼刺激的脑功能与咬合形态特征之间关系的基础数据。所有受试者的咬合和骨骼特征通过研究模型和头颅侧位片进行检查。用正电子发射断层扫描技术测量静息状态和口香糖基底液的脑血流量。参照脑图谱绘制脑血流图上的感兴趣区。计算各部位脑血流量的变化，口香糖对局部脑血流量的影响差异较大。颌骨关系协调的正常牙合，罗兰迪区、脑岛、小脑rCBF增高。另一方面，在有牙齿或骨骼问题的错(牙合)患者中，脑血流增加的区域和体积与正常咬合不同，咬合错合患者咀嚼口香糖对罗兰迪区和岛叶的局部脑血流量几乎没有增加作用。

The aim of this study was to obtain basic data regarding the relationships between cerebral functions stimulated by mastication and morphological features of occlusion.Six normal male volunteers, aged 21 to 32 years were included in this study. Occlusal and skeletal features of all subjects were examined by study models and cephalograms. Cerebral blood flow at rest and chewing gum base were measured with ^<15>O-labeled water by using Positron emission tomography. The regions of interest on cerebral blood flow image were drawn referring brain atlas. The change of blood flow at each regions were calculated.Changes of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) by chewing gum were widely varied. In normal occlusions with harmonious relationship of jaws, rCBF increasing were generally demonstrated on Rolandic area, insula and cerebellum. On the other hand, in malocclusions with any dental or skeletal problems, region and volume of increasing cerebral blood flow were different from that in normal occlusions, and rCBF were not almost increased by chewing gum on Rolandic area and insula in anyone with malocclusons.Results may be indicated that cerebral function stimulated by mastication are related with features of occlusion and skeletal pattern.