International Journal of Molecular Sciences Review Targeting Chemosensory Ion Channels in Peripheral Swallowing-Related Regions for the Management of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia Mohammad Zakir Hossain 1,* , Hiroshi Ando 2 , Shumpei Unno 1 and Junichi Kitagawa 1,* 1 Department of Oral Physiology, School of Dentistry, Matsumoto Dental University, 1780 Gobara Hirooka, Shiojiri, Nagano 399-0781, Japan;
[email protected] 2 Department of Biology, School of Dentistry, Matsumoto Dental University, 1780 Gobara, Hirooka, Shiojiri, Nagano 399-0781, Japan;
[email protected] * Correspondence:
[email protected] (M.Z.H.);
[email protected] (J.K.); Tel.: +81-263-51-2053 (M.Z.H.); +81-263-51-2052 (J.K.); Fax: +81-263-51-2053 (M.Z.H.); +81-263-51-2053 (J.K.) Received: 5 August 2020; Accepted: 26 August 2020; Published: 27 August 2020 Abstract: Oropharyngeal dysphagia, or difficulty in swallowing, is a major health problem that can lead to serious complications, such as pulmonary aspiration, malnutrition, dehydration, and pneumonia. The current clinical management of oropharyngeal dysphagia mainly focuses on compensatory strategies and swallowing exercises/maneuvers; however, studies have suggested their limited effectiveness for recovering swallowing physiology and for promoting neuroplasticity in swallowing-related neuronal networks. Several new and innovative strategies based on neurostimulation in peripheral and cortical swallowing-related regions have been investigated, and appear promising for the management of oropharyngeal dysphagia. The peripheral chemical neurostimulation strategy is one of the innovative strategies, and targets chemosensory ion channels expressed in peripheral swallowing-related regions. A considerable number of animal and human studies, including randomized clinical trials in patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia, have reported improvements in the efficacy, safety, and physiology of swallowing using this strategy.