Understanding how the brain controls rhythmic movements like breathing and swallowing
Official title: Neural control of rhythmic orofacial movements
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10923310 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain parts of the brain help control important movements like breathing, chewing, and swallowing, which is especially helpful for people who have trouble with these functions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,127,000 |
| NIH project number | 1DP1NS142432-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10923310 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and elderly individuals who experience difficulties with breathing or swallowing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable respiratory and swallowing functions are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brainstem circuits responsible for coordinating rhythmic movements such as breathing, chewing, and swallowing. By using advanced technologies to study these neural circuits in behaving animals, the research aims to uncover how these patterns are generated and controlled. The findings could provide insights into critical survival functions and address issues related to disorganized breathing and swallowing, which can lead to serious health risks. The study focuses on mapping and dissecting the brainstem's central pattern generators to better understand their role in these essential movements.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for conditions that affect breathing and swallowing, potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on brain circuits, the specific focus on brainstem central pattern generators for rhythmic movements is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Nuo — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Li, Nuo
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.