The interaction between the nervous system and the stomatognathic system: from development to diseases

Yuzhu Wu; Yanhua Lan; Jiajie Mao; Jiahui Shen; Ting Kang; Zhijian Xie

doi:10.1038/s41368-023-00241-4

The interaction between the nervous system and the stomatognathic system: from development to diseases

Int J Oral Sci. 2023 Aug 15;15(1):34. doi: 10.1038/s41368-023-00241-4.

Authors

Yuzhu Wu^#¹, Yanhua Lan^#¹, Jiajie Mao¹, Jiahui Shen¹, Ting Kang², Zhijian Xie³

Affiliations

¹ Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
² Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China. kt2017@zju.edu.cn.
³ Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China. xzj66@zju.edu.cn.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

The crosstalk between the nerve and stomatognathic systems plays a more important role in organismal health than previously appreciated with the presence of emerging concept of the "brain-oral axis". A deeper understanding of the intricate interaction between the nervous system and the stomatognathic system is warranted, considering their significant developmental homology and anatomical proximity, and the more complex innervation of the jawbone compared to other skeletons. In this review, we provide an in-depth look at studies concerning neurodevelopment, craniofacial development, and congenital anomalies that occur when the two systems develop abnormally. It summarizes the cross-regulation between nerves and jawbones and the effects of various states of the jawbone on intrabony nerve distribution. Diseases closely related to both the nervous system and the stomatognathic system are divided into craniofacial diseases caused by neurological illnesses, and neurological diseases caused by an aberrant stomatognathic system. The two-way relationships between common diseases, such as periodontitis and neurodegenerative disorders, and depression and oral diseases were also discussed. This review provides valuable insights into novel strategies for neuro-skeletal tissue engineering and early prevention and treatment of orofacial and neurological diseases.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Bone and Bones
Humans
Nervous System*
Stomatognathic System*