How the brain controls tongue movement for chewing and swallowing
Cortical control and biomechanics of tongue movement
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · NIH-11170524
Researchers are building a 3-D computer model that links brain signals and muscle activity to tongue shapes to help people with swallowing and speech problems.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11170524 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
The team will record brain activity, tongue muscle signals, and 3-D tongue shape during natural chewing and swallowing to capture real movement patterns. They will combine those data into a computational biomechanical model that predicts how muscle and cortical activity produce tongue shape changes. By using varied, natural feeding behaviors the model will test how diet and movement affect swallowing mechanics. The work aims to guide development of brain-driven neuroprostheses and better stimulation or rehab techniques for dysphagia and speech problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with swallowing or speech impairments from head and neck cancer surgery, degenerative neurological diseases, or other neuromuscular causes of dysphagia or dysarthria.
Not a fit: People without neuromuscular or brain-related tongue control problems, or whose issues are purely structural and not related to neural control, are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new brain-controlled devices and improved therapies to restore chewing, swallowing, and speech after head and neck cancer surgery or neurological disease.
How similar studies have performed: Related kinematic and stimulation studies have shown promise for swallowing rehabilitation, but cortical-driven tongue neuroprostheses and comprehensive 3-D biomechanical models remain largely novel.
Where this research is happening
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO — CHICAGO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ROSS, CALLUM F — UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- Study coordinator: ROSS, CALLUM F
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.
Conditions: Cancers