# Predictive Markers for Longitudinal TMJ Integrity

> **NIH NIH R03** · STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO · 2024 · $163,320

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are prevalent, with estimates of 5% to 10%, with two-fold higher
prevalence for females than males (NASEM, 2020), and projected annual costs of $4 billion (Stowell et al.
2007). TMD represents a group of conditions with and without pain, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
disc displacement and degenerative disease. Osseous changes are late-stage, degenerative characteristics
(Farina et al. 2009; Luder 2002; Wiese et al. 2008) that tend to occur >10 years earlier in the TMJ than in other
human joints. The long-term goals are to elucidate the variables responsible for precocious TMJ tissue failure
and the predilection for females compared to males. TMJ tissue fatigue depends on applied mechanics and
behavior; that is, magnitudes and frequencies of energy input to tissues. Published and preliminary data show
that magnitudes and frequencies of energy input to TMJ tissues, quantified by Mechanobehavior Score (MBS,
mJ∙%/mm3), predict longitudinal changes in TMJ structures. It was found that in 35 subjects over ≥5.3 years,
TMJs where intracapsular diagnoses worsened had average MBS 8-times and 3-times greater than TMJs
where diagnoses improved and remained stable, respectively. However, there are anatomical and
psychophysiological variables that are more easily measured and clinically translatable. The Anatomic-
Psychophysiologic Score (APS), the arithmetic product of these measures, correlated well with MBS.
Therefore, the overall objective is to use an existing landmark data set from the TMJ Impact Project (Schiffman
et al. 2017) to evaluate these markers (APS) to predict longitudinal changes in TMJ structures and
intracapsular diagnoses over 8 years in 401 subjects (789 TMJs). The specific aims are to:
(1) Determine if easily measured anatomical and psychophysiological variables predict conversion rate and
 direction of changes to TMJ structures associated with changes in intracapsular diagnoses, and if there are
 sex differences.
(2) Test for sex differences in longitudinal changes in mandibular condyle volume within and between
 diagnostic groups.
The outcomes of these specific aims will help to address the current needs identified by the National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2020 consensus report for "new tools, metrics, and
biomarkers to diagnose TMD and forecast their trajectory.”

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10920362
- **Project number:** 5R03DE032807-02
- **Recipient organization:** STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO
- **Principal Investigator:** YOLY M GONZALEZ-STUCKER
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $163,320
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-05 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10920362

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10920362, Predictive Markers for Longitudinal TMJ Integrity (5R03DE032807-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10920362. Licensed CC0.

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