How sensory-motor circuits develop for suckling and chewing.
Developmental mechanisms in the formation and function of sensory-motor circuits responsible for suckling and mastication.
This study looks at how the brain and muscles work together to help babies learn to suck and chew their food, which is really important for eating, and it hopes to find ways to improve treatments for diseases that affect these abilities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10984873 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the development of sensory-motor circuits that control the ability to suckle and chew, which are essential for food intake in mammals. It focuses on understanding how these circuits are formed and matured during early postnatal development, particularly the role of the masseter muscle and its associated sensory neurons. By examining the transition from suckling to mastication, the research aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to better understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases affecting these functions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with neurodegenerative diseases that affect motor functions related to suckling and mastication.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have any issues with suckling or chewing, or those without neurodegenerative conditions, may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for conditions that impair suckling and chewing, enhancing the quality of life for affected individuals.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding sensory-motor circuits in other contexts, but this specific focus on the transition from suckling to mastication is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Florez Paz, Danny Mauricio — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Florez Paz, Danny Mauricio
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 below.