Understanding how brain signals control mouth movements
Official title: Confluence of high- and low-level signaling for the control of orofacial rhythmic motor actions
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10930307 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how different signals in the brain help control mouth movements like chewing, using mice to understand how these signals work together to make these actions smooth and effective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $589,041 |
| NIH project number | 1U19NS137920-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930307 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with orofacial motor control disorders or related neurological conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any orofacial motor control issues or those not affected by neurological conditions may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how different brain signals work together to control rhythmic movements of the mouth, such as chewing and whisking. By studying the interactions between low-level signals from the breathing center and high-level feedback from sensory inputs, the researchers aim to create models that explain how these signals coordinate to produce smooth and effective orofacial actions. The study primarily uses mice to explore these mechanisms, which could provide insights into the neural control of complex behaviors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for conditions affecting orofacial motor control, such as dysphagia or other movement disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding motor control through similar signaling approaches, indicating that this study builds on established knowledge in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kleinfeld, David — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Kleinfeld, David
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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.