Understanding TMJ Pain: How Jaw Joint and Muscle Signals Cause Chronic Pain
Official title: Peripheral mechanisms of Temporomandibular joint pain
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11376276 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at a major university aims to uncover how nerves in the jaw area create lasting pain in adults with jaw and muscle discomfort.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $431,365 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DE035583-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11376276 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with TMJ or jaw muscle pain who may participate in future human studies or related samples programs.
✕Less likely to help
People without TMJ or jaw muscle pain or those not involved in experimental imaging or sample collection may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project focuses on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and jaw muscle pain that affects many adults. Researchers will study nerve cells in the trigeminal ganglion to see how pain signals develop and persist in real-life conditions. Using advanced imaging in animals and potentially human-relevant models, the team plans to map how different nerve cell types contribute to chronic jaw pain. The goal is to identify specific molecules and pathways that could become targets for new therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to clearer targets for treatments that reduce TMJ pain and improve quality of life for affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown nerve pathways are key in pain, but this project aims to map them in vivo and at the population level, which is still an emerging area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Yu Shin — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Kim, Yu Shin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Mechano-triggered non-opioid pain relief for post-surgery joint pain
A first-in-kind delivery system uses body movements to release pain-relieving drugs after joint surgery, aiming to reduce opioid use.
-
Short-chain fatty acids in chronic jaw (TMJ) pain
This work looks at whether restoring gut short-chain fatty acids can help ease long-term jaw (TMJ) pain by changing how pain-related genes are controlled.
-
Understanding the causes of ongoing joint pain in people with psoriatic arthritis
This study is looking at what causes ongoing joint pain in people with psoriatic arthritis, using special imaging techniques to better understand both the physical and emotional aspects of pain, with the goal of finding better ways to help manage it.
-
Investigating the role of gut bacteria and short-chain fatty acids in chronic jaw pain
This study is looking at how changes in gut bacteria and certain substances called short-chain fatty acids might be linked to chronic pain in the jaw joint, and it could lead to a new treatment option for people suffering from TMJ pain.
-
Exploring a new method to relieve facet joint pain using electrical stimulation
This study is looking at how a gentle electrical stimulation method called peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) can help relieve facet joint pain from chronic back problems, offering a safer option that protects your muscles while aiming to ease your discomfort.
-
Understanding joint pain and developing personalized treatments
This study is exploring how joint pain works in people with osteoarthritis by using a special model that acts like a real joint, with the goal of finding better ways to manage pain for those who suffer from this condition.
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.