Understanding the connection between early life stress, the mouth's germs, and cavities in children
Official title: The Role of Brain-Oral-Microbiome Axis in Adverse Childhood Experiences-associated Dental Caries in Children
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11193504 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how stressful childhood experiences might affect the balance of germs in a child's mouth, leading to cavities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $196,875 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DE033799-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11193504 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is focused on understanding biological factors in children aged 0-11 who have experienced adverse childhood experiences and suffer from dental caries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced adverse childhood events or do not have dental caries may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Many children face tough experiences early in life, which can impact their health in many ways, including their teeth. We want to understand the biological reasons why children who have experienced these challenges often get more cavities, even with good dental care. Our team is looking at how the brain, immune system, and the germs in the mouth might all be connected. By finding these links, we hope to discover new ways to prevent cavities in children who have faced early life adversity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent and treat cavities in children who have experienced adverse childhood events.
How similar studies have gone: This work builds upon previous findings by the researchers that identified specific immune markers linked to caries-associated bacteria.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tran, Nini Chaichanasakul — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Tran, Nini Chaichanasakul
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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.