It is known that when the number of chews decreases during the growth period, it adversely affects not only the jaw bone and the muscles for chewing but also the development of the brain.It has also been found that the risk of dementia increases when masticatory function declines due to tooth loss with aging.

　The research group investigated how masticatory function and brain function are related, using a mouse in which masticatory function was reduced by feeding powdered feed from the weaning period to the growth period as a model.As a result, it was found that the growth of maxillofacial bones and muscles for chewing was suppressed in the mice fed with the powdered feed, and the memory / learning function was significantly impaired as compared with the mice fed with the normal solid feed. rice field.Furthermore, analysis of the hippocampus, which is the brain region responsible for memory and learning, revealed that neural activity, synaptogenesis, and expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor decreased, and that nerve cells decreased.

　From this result, it was found that if the masticatory stimulus decreases during the growth period, the growth of the jawbone and masticatory muscles and the memory / learning function may be impaired.In the future, it is expected to lead to the establishment of new treatments and prevention methods for dementia and memory / learning dysfunction.

reference:[Tokyo Medical and Dental University] Professor Takushi Ono, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Department of Occlusal Function Orthodontics, received William J. Gies Awards (PDF)

Paper information:[Journal of Dental Research] Reduced Mastication Impairs Memory Function