# Developmental mechanisms in the formation and function of sensory-motor circuits responsible for suckling and mastication.

> **NIH NIH K01** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2024 · $166,644

## Abstract

Project summary
The sensory-motor circuits are specialized neuronal networks that modulate movement. During development,
the proper circuit assembly is fundamental in performing coordinated muscle contraction. During early postnatal
development, mammals are heavily dependent on the intake of food. To achieve this, they rely on the suckling
ability which transitions into mastication behavior, led by orofacial muscle activity. However, the mechanism of
formation, maturation, and transition from suckling to mastication behaviors, fundamental to surviving adulthood,
are poorly understood. Importantly, dysfunction in these behaviors may lead to neurodegenerative disease. The
masseter muscle is the main jaw-closing muscle and is the main muscle implicated in maintaining the correct
nutrient intake. The mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MesV) is a group of primary sensory neurons within the
brainstem that innervates the masseter muscle, projecting to the corresponding motor neuron pool. Additionally,
a population of periodontal pressoreceptor somas is also located in the MesV. This particular characteristic could
be related to the modulation of the masseter muscle activity by periodontal pressoreceptors activation. I
hypothesize that the sensory-motor circuits controlling the masseter muscles during normal development are
modified in an age-dependent manner to transition from suckling to masticatory behavior and that periodontal
pressoreceptors participate in muscle activity modulation. This project aims to explore the mechanisms of
assembly and modulation of sensory-motor circuits during healthy development of the masseter muscle, and
how dysfunction in these two behaviors impacts the neurodevelopmental neurodegenerative disease, spinal
muscular atrophy (SMA). Unraveling the developmental mechanisms of sensory-motor circuit assembly and
function is fundamental to our understanding of the mechanisms causing the disease. Using genetic mouse
models, and retrograde tracing, I will map the orofacial sensory-motor circuit formation and maturation in normal
development. State of art behavioral assays and electrophysiological pair-recordings, will provide the
characterization of sensory-motor circuit activation in an aged-dependent manner. SMA is caused by the deletion
of the Survival Motor Neuron 1 gene, resulting in a deficiency of the SMN protein. SMA is the most important
cause of death in infants, and its hallmarks are selective motor neuron death, muscle atrophy, and impairment
of muscle movements. In SMA disease, clinical evidence as well as work from animal models show that the
nutrient intake is severely affected. I hypothesize that the masseter sensory-motor circuit is impaired in SMA,
resulting in dysfunctional suckling and masticatory behaviors. To understand these mechanisms, I will use a
well-established SMA animal model (SMNΔ7 mice), together with immunohistochemistry, and behavioral assays.
In sum, this project will provide important insights i...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10984873
- **Project number:** 1K01DE033040-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Danny Mauricio Florez Paz
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $166,644
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10984873

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10984873, Developmental mechanisms in the formation and function of sensory-motor circuits responsible for suckling and mastication. (1K01DE033040-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10984873. Licensed CC0.

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