Investigating brain connectivity in chronic jaw pain disorders
Official title: Brain Connectivity Patterns in Chronic Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10466898 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the way different parts of the brain connect might affect people with chronic pain from jaw issues, and it hopes to find patterns that could help improve treatment for those dealing with this kind of pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00DE027414-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10466898 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from chronic temporomandibular joint disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute TMJD or those without any jaw pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how brain connectivity patterns relate to chronic pain in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD). By using advanced neuroimaging techniques, the study aims to identify specific brain circuits that may be involved in the processing and persistence of pain. The research will compare chronic TMJD patients with pain-free individuals to see if distinct connectivity patterns can be linked to levels of pain-related disability. This could lead to better understanding and treatment strategies for those suffering from chronic TMJD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic and treatment approaches for patients with chronic TMJD pain.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding brain connectivity in chronic pain conditions, suggesting potential for success in this area as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moana-Filho, Estephan J — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Moana-Filho, Estephan J
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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.