Marziyeh Ostadi, M.Sc.
Doctoral Student
Connor Laboratory
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Swallowing Characteristics with Aging in Down Syndrome: a Preclinical Study in the Ts65Dn Mouse Model
In this talk, we will explore how aging affects swallowing in Down syndrome (DS) using the Ts65Dn mouse model. DS is associated with speech and swallowing difficulties, which may become more pronounced with age. Additionally, DS is linked to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with dysphagia being a common comorbidity. Swallowing phenotypes have been observed in the Ts65Dn mouse model of DS. This presentation will detail the effects of aging on swallowing alterations in a 20-month-old adult mouse model of DS, Ts65Dn, using Video Fluoroscopic Swallow Studies (VFSS).
The study included 52 mice, divided into Ts65Dn and Euploid (genetically typical mice) groups, all at 20 months old. We will explain the specific swallow measures used in the study, including swallowing rate, inter-swallow interval, jaw cycle swallow ratio, and jaw excursion rate. Our findings indicate that Ts65Dn mice exhibit significantly inferior swallowing function compared to Euploid mice at this advanced age, with no impact of sex on these outcomes.
Overall, this talk underscores the influence of genotype on swallowing dynamics, providing valuable insights into the functional changes in swallowing ability associated with aging in Down syndrome.
This study funded by NIH INCLUD NIDCD R01DC019735-01A1.