PB3. Pharyngeal Electrical Stimulation in neurointensive care patients suffering from severe post-stroke dysphagia – Post stimulation increase of salivary substance P level may indicate treatment success

Introduction Dysphagia is one of the most important and prognostically relevant complications of acute stroke. Pharyngeal Electrical Stimulation (PES) is a treatment device that enhances cortical reorganization for the restoration of swallowing function after cerebral injury. Furthermore, it was shown that PES leads to a temporary increase of Substance P (SP) level in saliva but not serum in healthy adults. The neuropeptide SP likely acts as a neurotransmitter in the pharyngeal mucosa and enhances the swallow and cough reflex. Post-stroke dysphagia may be related to reduced SP-levels. Here, we investigated the association of PES treatment in neurointensive care patients suffering from sever…