360° Collaborative Hub for AI in TMD Research (360° Chat-TMD)

About This Grant

360° CHAT TMD ABSTRACT The proposed 360° Collaborative Hub for AI in TMD Research (360° CHAT-TMD) Center will establish a national, interdisciplinary, patient-centered initiative aimed at advancing temporomandibular disorder (TMD) research and improving clinical care. By uniting experts from the University of Michigan, Harvard University, and Mass General Brigham, alongside patient communities, the project seeks to bridge critical knowledge gaps in TMD and chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs). The collaborative focuses on four key objectives: creating an integrated computational and data science infrastructure, implementing standardized training programs, conducting interdisciplinary research to uncover TMD mechanisms, and enhancing collaboration through innovative technologies. The project is structured around two cores and two research projects. The Bioinformatics and Data Science Core (BDSC) serves as the computational and analytical hub, establishing TMD-specific common data elements (CDEs) and harmonized data integration pipelines. It leverages advanced AI/ML techniques for multi-modal disease phenotyping, fosters collaboration through secure, privacy-preserving data-sharing ecosystems, and provides biostatistical and data science expertise to study TMD subtypes, progression, and treatment outcomes. The Outreach and Training Core (OTEC) focuses on education and training, enhancing accessibility to TMD/COPCs resources for medically underserved populations and developing career development programs to mentor the next generation of clinician-scientists. Research Project 1 employs a multi-level approach to understand TMD mechanisms, using animal models to study structural changes, pain, and dysfunction, while exploring therapeutic strategies targeting pathways like hedgehog signaling and inflammation. Research Project 2 integrates AI/ML technologies for whole-person, whole-healthcare, and whole-community research. It aims to classify TMD subtypes, predict progression, and implement mobile clinical chatbots for remote outreach and patient classification. Together, these efforts align with NIDCR’s IMPACT mission and aim to transform TMD research, improve clinical care, and ultimately enhance the quality of life for patients suffering from TMD and related chronic pain conditions.