Understanding how bony spurs form in the jaw joint
Official title: Pathogenic mechanisms of TMJ osteophyte formation
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-10983587 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how bony growths in the jaw joint can cause pain and movement problems, using special mice to help find new ways to treat these issues and improve life for people with jaw pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $222,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DE033505-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10983587 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals over 21 years old experiencing TMJ disorders, particularly those with osteophyte formation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with TMJ issues not related to osteophyte formation or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind the formation of osteophytes, or bony spurs, in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which can lead to chronic pain and jaw movement issues. By studying genetically modified mice that mimic human conditions, researchers aim to uncover the biological processes that contribute to these deformities. The goal is to identify potential new treatments that could alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life for affected individuals. Patients may benefit from insights gained into the underlying causes of their TMJ disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment options for patients suffering from TMJ-related pain and dysfunction.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms of osteophyte formation in the TMJ are not extensively studied, similar research in other joints has shown promise in understanding and treating osteoarthritis.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koyama, Eiki — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Koyama, Eiki
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Emotional and biobehavioral links in parent-infant closeness
A program to understand how parent and baby feel and react to each other in early life, with the goal of guiding better child social and emotional development.
-
Leukodystrophy Clinical Careers and Mentorship Network
A program to train, mentor, and support clinicians and researchers to advance care for people with leukodystrophies.
-
Role of ATP1A3 mutations in sudden death related to epilepsy
Aims to understand how ATP1A3 gene changes may lead to sudden death in kids with epilepsy and is exploring new ways to prevent it.
-
Kids First Data Resource Center: cloud-enabled data sharing for childhood cancer research
A data resource project that makes pediatric cancer data and analyses more accessible to researchers, with the goal of advancing understanding and care for children with cancer.
-
PROMISE: A Network for Real-World Evidence in Rare Pediatric Cancers
A network will collect and harmonize pediatric cancer patient records from multiple centers to create high-quality real-world data that can support quicker, regulatory-ready insights when randomized trials aren’t feasible.
-
Data Hub Core for Down syndrome research
A data hub project is building a big, interoperable platform to securely share and analyze information from people with Down syndrome and related conditions.
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.