Table 1.

VFSS metrics for objective quantitation of dysphagia in mice

VFSS metrics	Operational definitions	Stage of swallowing
Lick rate	The number of lick cycles per second (30 frames) during uninterrupted drinking, starting with the jaw at maximum open position	Oropharyngeal
Swallow rate	The number of swallows occurring during each 2-s (60 frames) episode of uninterrupted drinking, beginning at the rest frame immediately preceding bolus transit from the valleculae (i.e., anatomic swallow trigger point in mice)
Inter-swallow interval	The time (ms) between two successive, uninterrupted swallows during uninterrupted drinking
Lick–swallow ratio	The number of licks between two successive, uninterrupted swallows
Pharyngeal transit time	The time (ms) between swallow onset and when the bolus tail enters the esophagus
Esophageal transit time	The time (ms) it takes the bolus to transit from the proximal esophagus into the stomach	Esophageal