Developing a new imaging method to assess myofascial pain
Official title: Development and Clinical Translation of RPBM for Quantitative Assessment of Myofascial Pain
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-10954557 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, gentle imaging method to look at changes in the muscles related to jaw pain, which could help improve how we understand and treat people with masticatory myofascial pain syndrome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,702,003 |
| NIH project number | 1R61AT012270-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10954557 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing symptoms of masticatory myofascial pain syndrome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with myofascial pain not related to the masticatory system may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating and evaluating a non-invasive imaging technique to measure changes in muscle fibers related to masticatory myofascial pain syndrome (MMPS). By utilizing advanced Diffusion Tensor MR Imaging, the study aims to extract detailed anatomical information about muscle fibers, including their diameter and permeability. This innovative approach, known as the random permeable barrier model (RPBM), has shown promise in preliminary tests and could lead to better assessment and treatment options for patients suffering from this condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a reliable tool for diagnosing and monitoring myofascial pain, leading to more effective treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success with similar imaging techniques in assessing muscle conditions, indicating potential for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Sungheon Gene — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Kim, Sungheon Gene
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Destruction of noncoding RNAs in cancer
This grant funds research to understand how noncoding RNAs are broken down, which could reveal new ways to influence cancer development and progression.
-
Coaching and Navigation by Community Health Workers via Telehealth for High-Risk Hypertension
A program using telehealth and community health workers to help adults with severe hypertension connect to primary care and follow practical, heart-healthy lifestyle tips.
-
Corticospinal neurons and recovery of precise forelimb movement after spinal cord injury
This project studies how spine injuries change brain circuits and whether targeted rehabilitation helps restore precise forelimb movement.
-
Thiamine-boosting therapy for Alzheimer’s: understanding how benfotiamine may reduce harmful AGE in DP patients
A medication-based approach using high-dose vitamin B1 (benfotiamine) is studied to help people with Alzheimer's by reducing harmful sugar-related molecules.
-
Turning APOE4 into protective APOE2 or APOE3Christchurch to help with Alzheimer’s
A patient-facing explanation of a treatment idea that aims to change a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in the brain.
-
ROMA:Women — comparing single vs multiple arterial grafts in women undergoing CABG
A women-focused clinical trial tests whether using more arterial grafts during heart bypass surgery improves outcomes and quality of life for women.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.