PMC

The EMG recording of one swallowing act is shown (surface electrodes, recording from the submental muscles). For the analysis with SAM, the beginning (M₁) and the end (M₂) of main muscle activation were marked. The activation phase and the corresponding resting phase were defined. To estimate the maximal null distribution a third marker (M₀) at the beginning of preparation activity was set and two background phases were defined (Methods).

Changes in the beta-frequency-band during swallowing execution compared to the resting stage. The color bar represents the t-value. a) Control subjects show a strong and bilateral activation of the primary sensorimotor cortex. b) In the MDG weaker activation of both sensorimotor cortices can be found. The right hemispheric activation is stronger compared to the left side. c) In the SDG only little activation of the left hemisphere is observable. The right hemispheric activation is reduced compared to healthy controls and to the MDG. The maximum of activation is located more posterior compared to the control group, corresponding to the postcentral gyrus.