Dysphagia is a common symptom in many neurological diseases, particularly occurring after a stroke or head trauma. Another important group of patients who develop swallowing dysfunctions are older adults with progressive loss of cognitive functions such as patients with Alzheimer's disease. This type of disease is accompanied by diffi culty swallowing that has been associated with increased mortality due to respiratory complications that are potentially preventable if dysphagia is recognized early so that appropriate strategies for treatment can be used.