Understanding how the brain controls tongue movement
Official title: Cortical control and biomechanics of tongue movement
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-10932214 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how brain activity and tongue movements work together, especially to help people with swallowing difficulties, and it hopes to find new ways to improve treatments for conditions like dysphagia by understanding how diet affects tongue function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $631,123 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS134968-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10932214 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing swallowing difficulties due to conditions such as cancer or degenerative diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without swallowing difficulties or those not affected by the conditions being studied may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between brain activity and tongue movements by developing a computational model that connects muscle activity to the biomechanics of the tongue. It aims to understand how dietary changes can affect tongue function, particularly in individuals with swallowing difficulties. By analyzing natural feeding behaviors, the study seeks to provide insights that could lead to innovative treatments for conditions like dysphagia, which affects the ability to chew and swallow. The ultimate goal is to create neuroprosthetic devices that can assist with these functions after surgeries or due to degenerative diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments and technologies that improve swallowing and chewing for patients with dysphagia.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using biomechanical models and neuroprosthetics for motor control, indicating that this approach could yield significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ross, Callum F — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Ross, Callum F
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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.