Abstract

There is evidence that tooth loss and reduced masticatory function are correlated with cognitive decline. We investigated cortical dynamics during attention and working memory tasks before and after self-paced chewing. Thirty healthy adults performed a visuospatial two-back task (2-Back) and visual oddball task (VO) under a 2x2 factorial design: chewing (one minute prior to the tasks) vs. no-chewing and with vs. without local anesthesia. Chewing improved behavioral measures in the 2-Back and the VO tasks. Frontocentral theta power and coherence increased post-chewing in both tasks, indicating enhanced neural synchronization. Theta frequency correlated with chewing frequency in the 2-Back test only, and early sensory P1-N1 complex of the ERP was increased post-chewing, indicating that chewing entrains and modulates task-specific theta activity and functional connectivity, possibly via a Locus Coeruleus - Thalamic - Cortical loop, tuning cognitive processing. These findings underscore the potential of masticatory activity in supporting cognitive health and suggest implications for populations with compromised oral function.