How the tongue develops in Down syndrome
Tongue maturation deficits in a mouse model of Down syndrome
Using mouse models, researchers are studying why tongues develop differently in children with Down syndrome and how that affects speech and feeding.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174571 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses mouse models that carry features of Down syndrome to study how the tongue and brainstem mature during early postnatal development. The team will generate baseline data on normal tongue and brainstem maturation and compare those patterns to changes seen in the Down syndrome model, focusing on muscles, nerves, and movement. They will examine whether altered tongue activity during early life changes the neuromuscular system as it matures. The goal is to create a basic understanding that could guide future strategies to improve speech, feeding, and swallowing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The research is most relevant to infants and young children with Down syndrome who have feeding, swallowing, or speech difficulties, although this project uses mouse models rather than enrolling patients.
Not a fit: People without Down syndrome or those whose speech and swallowing are unaffected are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal causes of speech and feeding difficulties in Down syndrome and point to new ways to support tongue development in young children.
How similar studies have performed: Related animal studies have identified neuromuscular differences in Down syndrome, but focused work on tongue and brainstem maturation is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Glass, Tiffany — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Glass, Tiffany
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.