Speech and chewing are accomplished automatically by the jaw muscles which have both the power to chew meat and even bone, and the precision to make extremely fine adjustments to the shape of the mouth that enable speech. The brain needs constant inputs from sensory receptors in and around the mouth to control these muscles. We will investigate how these sensory mechanisms automatically fine-tune the activity of the jaw muscles and the mechanisms that keep the jaw in its normal position when the ....Speech and chewing are accomplished automatically by the jaw muscles which have both the power to chew meat and even bone, and the precision to make extremely fine adjustments to the shape of the mouth that enable speech. The brain needs constant inputs from sensory receptors in and around the mouth to control these muscles. We will investigate how these sensory mechanisms automatically fine-tune the activity of the jaw muscles and the mechanisms that keep the jaw in its normal position when the subject is sitting quietly, or when the head is moving up and down during running. This normal rest position of the jaw is a vital point of reference for dentists who are making false teeth and for surgeons who are restoring damaged faces, but it is not known what mechanisms are responsible for it. Anyone who has experienced a sore tooth or sore jaw muscles will know that pain adversely affects normal chewing. A common symptom is limitation of jaw movements. We will determine how pain affects the control of jaw muscles. This is important for people with chronic facial pain from arthritis of the jaw joint or from grinding their teeth while they are asleep. Even if it is not possible to eliminate their pain, we hope to suggest approaches which will alleviate its effects. Another part of our study involves a computer model of the chewing system. Computer models enable scientists to examine the effect of various interventions such as surgery or orthodontics on a model before these are tried on humans. It is also possible to use such a virtual patient to answer important functional questions that cannot be examined in humans because the methods are unavailable, or because the procedures would be ethically unacceptable. The current version of the computer model is quite sophisticated anatomically, but lacks important information on the control systems that activate the muscles. We will collaborate with the developers of the model by providing this information.Read moreRead less
Central, Reflex And Mechanical Factors In The Control Of Human Breathing Muscles.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$497,968.00
Summary
We will study the neural output to human inspiratory muscles and how it is related to mechanical effectiveness for breathing and then how this relationship can change with respiratory disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnoea. We will also examine the spinal reflex connections of human breathing muscles in people with spinal cord injury. This work promises new understanding of the basic control of respiration and how it changes with disease.
My work investigates the neural output to human inspiratory muscles and how it is related to mechanical effectiveness for breathing. The aim is to discover how this relationship can change with respiratory disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnoea. I also examine the changes in breathing muscle control in people with spinal cord injury. This work promises new understanding of the basic control of respiration and how it changes with disease.
Novel Approaches For Targeted Sleep Apnoea Treatment And Management
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,090,576.00
Summary
>1million Australian adults have obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). OSA has several causes. Untreated OSA is associated with major health consequences. <50% of OSA patients tolerate the main therapy, continuous positive airway pressure. New treatments are urgently required. This proposal aims to use and develop novel approaches to identify the causes of OSA on a per patient basis, improve current therapies and management approaches and test if new targeted therapies can be used to treat OSA.