Mapping nerve cells around the jaw joint in people with and without TMJ pain
Official title: Comprehensive functional phenotyping of trigeminal neurons innervating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) tissues in male female and aged mice primates and humans with and without TMJ disorders (TMJD)
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-11380323 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are mapping the types and changes of nerves around the jaw joint to help understand TMJ pain in people and animal models.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $279,997 |
| NIH project number | 3UC2AR082195-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11380323 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with TMJ disorder or chronic jaw pain, and people willing to donate TMJ tissue or take part in related clinical visits, would be ideal candidates to contribute.
✕Less likely to help
People with pain unrelated to the TMJ or those unwilling to provide tissue samples or attend study visits are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
The team will examine nerve cells that connect to the temporomandibular joint using tissue samples and advanced imaging and molecular tests from mice, primates, and human donors. They will compare samples from men, women, and older adults, and from people with and without TMJ disorder to see how nerve types and wiring differ with pain. The goal is to produce a detailed map of nerve locations and characteristics in muscles, cartilage, capsule, and ligaments around the TMJ. This work may also highlight specific nerve-related targets that could guide new treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new nerve-based targets that lead to better treatments for TMJ pain.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have identified distinct trigeminal nerve types in TMJ tissue, but a comprehensive, cross-species functional map and target search is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Akopian, Armen N — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Akopian, Armen N
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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.