# Theory and Modeling of the Orofacial Active Sensation

> **NIH NIH U19** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2021 · $227,643

## Abstract

Project 4. Abstract
 Theory and modeling of the orofacial active sensation (Golomb as lead; Freund; Kleinfeld)
 This Research Project addresses the dynamics of the sensorimotor brainstem circuits for active sensing.
Our initial focus is on the vibrissae system, given the relative plethora of information on this aspect of orofacial
behavior. The specific elements in our model include the vibrissae, the vibrissa motor plant, and sensory and
motor neuronal ganglia and nuclei. We will use theoretical and computational techniques to describe the
activity of several "Components" and, of great generality to perception, how active feedback alters the nature
of the sensory input as a consequence ofs active sensing.
 First we will analyze the interaction of the vibrissae and the motor plant, specifically how contact effects the
motor plant and the forces and torques on the vibrissae. We then quantify the transformation of mechanical
signals in whisker follicle to neuronal spiking of trigeminal ganglion neurons during vibrissa movement and
touch with object. At the motor brainstem level, we explore the generation and synchronization of firing
patterns of motoneurons and pre-motoneurons, and their reset by the pre-Bötzinger complex. Finally, we will
construct models of larger brainstem loops and explore general issues of how sensory signals control motor
activity during behavior.
 Our models will be constrained by connectivity data from Research Project 1 and physiological data about
the activation and operation of orofacial exploratory circuitry from Research Project 2 and 3, and their
predictions will be tested in Research Project 2 and 3.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10199077
- **Project number:** 5U19NS107466-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** David Golomb
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $227,643
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-15 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10199077

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10199077, Theory and Modeling of the Orofacial Active Sensation (5U19NS107466-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10199077. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*