Special Section on DRS 25th Anniversary

Excerpt

Dysphagia research has come a long way since the first observation of the deglutitive dynamics and kinematics involved in transferring a bolus from the mouth to the stomach using the fascinating but rudimentary early radiographic techniques. Care of dysphagic patients has also come a long way from the days with no option but malnutrition, chest infection, and starvation. Research and discovery have come to the rescue, although not to the complete defeat of the menace but to a great extent have improved quality of life, extended life, improved nutrition, and prevented infection. The reciprocal duet of taking a clinical question in the form of hypothesis to the research laboratory and bringing a new discovery to be tested in clinic has taken hold. So has the recognition that dysphagia and its related research is inherently multidisciplinary and in clear need of the infusion of knowledge and expertise from multiple disciplines to advance further, hence the birth of the nascent discipline of deglutology. …