Understanding how the brain controls orofacial movements like chewing and swallowing
Official title: Top-down and bottom-up signals for flexible orofacial behaviors
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10930311 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain helps mice chew, lick, and swallow, which are important for staying alive, to learn how it balances precise movements with the ability to adapt based on what they sense around them, and this could help us understand similar behaviors in other conditions.
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) | $612,463 |
| NIH project number | 1U19NS137920-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930311 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals with conditions that impair orofacial motor control, such as neurological disorders or developmental disabilities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any orofacial motor control issues or those not experiencing related neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain mechanisms that coordinate orofacial behaviors, such as chewing, licking, and swallowing, which are essential for survival. It aims to understand how the brain balances the need for precise motor control with the flexibility to adapt these behaviors based on sensory feedback and context. By developing specific tasks for mice and analyzing the signals between different brain regions, the research seeks to uncover how high-level planning interacts with low-level sensory inputs. This could lead to a better understanding of how these behaviors can be affected in various conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for conditions that affect orofacial coordination, potentially reducing risks like choking.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding motor control through similar approaches, indicating that this line of investigation is promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'connor, Daniel Hans — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: O'connor, Daniel Hans
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.