Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) awarded The Ohio State University a $315,000 Project Grant effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, under the Oral Diseases and Disorders Research program (CFDA 93.121). This research project will deliver two primary products: (1) improved characterization of cardiovascular autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction phenotypes contributing to multisystem temporomandibular disorder (TMD) risk through analysis of longitudinal and cross-sectional data from the OPPERA (Orofacial Pain Prospective Evaluation and Risk Assessment) study, and (2) development and validation of a practical chairside symptom screening tool to identify high-risk individuals for TMD onset and persistence. The research addresses the clinical challenge that multisystem TMD—characterized by comorbid pain, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances—affects over 12 million U.S. adults and carries poor outcomes.

The study leverages existing OPPERA datasets to characterize ANS dysfunction patterns at rest and during orthostatic stress, linking these patterns to symptom trajectories in multisystem TMD. The screening tool will incorporate multisystem symptoms and be validated for predictive validity in identifying at-risk populations. These deliverables are expected to provide novel mechanistic insights into ANS dysfunction in multisystem TMD and furnish clinicians with a practical early-identification resource, establishing a foundation for future pathophysiology-based intervention and prevention strategies for this prevalent condition.