NASAL AND ORAL TRIGEMINAL CHEMORECEPTION NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 31, August 19, 1994 PA NUMBER: PA-94-093 P.T. 34 Keywords: 0755017 Receptors National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders PURPOSE The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) invites applications for the support of basic studies on the nasal and oral trigeminal chemosensory system and its interactions with the olfactory and gustatory systems. It is expected that research in this area will advance the understanding of the contributions of trigeminal chemoreception to odor and taste perception, particularly in relation to dietary preferences. In addition, this research is expected to elucidate a variety of reflexes elicited by nasal and oral trigeminal chemoreceptors that serve to protect the individual from noxious stimuli. This initiative is intended to foster a better understanding of the molecular events that underlie the function of the nasal and oral trigeminal chemosensory system and its interactions with the olfactory and gustatory systems. HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000 The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This Program Announcement, Nasal and Oral Trigeminal Chemoreception, is related to the priority areas of nutrition, environmental health, occupational safety and health, and oral health. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-11474-0) or "Healthy People 2000" (Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-11473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-783-3238). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by domestic, for-profit and non-profit organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of State and local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal government. Foreign institutions are not eligible for First Independent Research Support and Transition (FIRST) (R29) awards. Applications from minority individuals and women are encouraged. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT The support mechanisms for grants in this area will be the investigator-initiated research project grant (R01), and the FIRST (R29) award. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Trigeminal nerve fibers in the nasal and oral cavities are sensitive to chemical stimuli as well as to mechanical, thermal, nociceptive, and proprioceptive stimuli. Since chemical stimulation of the nasal and oral cavities involves the trigeminal nerve in addition to the olfactory and gustatory nerves, information from the trigeminal nerve forms an integral part of our perceptions of odor and taste. Nasal trigeminal stimuli include volatile organic compounds that may be present in the workplace and home environment and may give rise to complaints of indoor pollution and sick building syndrome. Oral trigeminal chemosensory stimulation can evoke a number of qualities of perception such as coolness, heat, astringency, irritation and pain. Research on trigeminal chemoreceptors has lagged behind the olfactory, gustatory, and vomeronasal systems. While trigeminal chemoreceptors contribute to smell and taste in the detection of chemicals in the environment and maintenance of nutritional balance, they are also responsible for the detection of irritants and potentially harmful compounds and may mediate strong protective reflexes. Stimulation of trigeminal nerve fibers may give rise to the release of neuropeptide mediators such as substance P (SP) and calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP) at four possible sites: the stimulation site, peripheral terminals, collateral terminals, and central terminals. The release of these neuropeptides can affect a variety of functions including respiration, vasodilation, vascular permeability, glandular secretions and cellular immunity. Nasal trigeminal collateral terminals have been demonstrated in the olfactory bulb, and therefore, peripheral activation may influence central processing of olfactory information. This initiative seeks to encourage research on trigeminal chemoreception at all levels extending from peripheral mechanisms to central processing and including reflexes elicited by the activation of trigeminal chemoreceptors. A broad range of research techniques are appropriate including molecular, cellular, biochemical and psychophysical approaches. Research studies may include, but are not limited to, the topics listed below: o The role of trigeminal chemosensory sensations in the regulation of eating and its disorders; o The contribution of the trigeminal chemosensory system to food palatability, particularly with respect to food texture and temperature; o The relative contributions of trigeminal, olfactory and gustatory stimulation to the perception of chemical stimuli; o Individual differences in sensitivity to trigeminal chemoreception throughout the life span; o Responses to mixtures of trigeminal chemosensory stimulants including excitatory and inhibitory interactions among trigeminal modalities such as temperature and touch; o Cellular mechanisms underlying the diverse qualities of trigeminal chemosensory sensations; o Receptor and perireceptor mechanisms following trigeminal activation leading to sensitization and desensitization of trigeminal nerve endings; o Long- and short-term effects of trigeminal stimulants on the olfactory, gustatory, and vomeronasal epithelia; o Demonstration of trigeminal reflexes including effects on the perireceptor milieu (e.g., mucous secretion, salivary flow, vasoconstriction, and vasodilation), respiratory and oropharyngeal functions, and the immune system; o Localization of receptors for SP, CGRP, neuropeptide Y, neurokinins, and others in the lingual and nasal epithelia; and o Entry of viruses into the central nervous system via trigeminal nerve fibers and the possible sequestration of viruses in the trigeminal (gasserian) ganglion. STUDY POPULATIONS INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS It is the policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their subpopulations must be included in all NIH supported biomedical and behavioral research projects involving human subjects, unless a clear and compelling rationale and justification is provided that inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health of the subjects or the purpose of the research. This new policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43) and supersedes and strengthens the previous policies (Concerning the Inclusion of Women in Study Populations, and Concerning the Inclusion of Minorities in Study Populations), which have been in effect since 1990. The new policy contains some provisions that are substantially different from the 1990 policies. All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the "NIH Guidelines For Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research," which have been published in the Federal Register of March 28, 1994 (FR 59 14508-14513) and reprinted in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Volume 23, Number 11, March 18, 1994. Investigators also may obtain copies of the policy from the program staff listed under INQUIRIES. Program staff may also provide additional relevant information concerning the policy. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91) and will be accepted at the standard application deadlines as indicated in the application kit. The receipt dates for applications for AIDS-related research are found in the PHS 398 instructions. Application kits are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and may be obtained from the Office of Grants Information, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, Westwood Building, Room 449, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone 301-710-0267. The title and number of the program announcement must be typed in Section 2a on the face page of the application. Applications for the FIRST Award (R29) must include at least three sealed letters of reference attached to the face page of the original application. FIRST Award (R29) applications submitted without the required number of reference letters will be considered incomplete and will be returned without review. The completed original application and five legible copies must be sent or delivered to: Division of Research Grants National Institutes of Health Westwood Building, Room 240 Bethesda, MD 20892** REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Applications will be assigned on the basis of established PHS referral guidelines. Applications will be reviewed for scientific and technical merit by study sections of the Division of Research Grants, NIH in accordance with the standard NIH peer review procedures. Following scientific-technical review, the applications will receive a second-level review by the appropriate national advisory council. AWARD CRITERIA Applications will compete for available funds with all other approved applications assigned to that ICD. The following will be considered in making funding decisions: o Quality of the proposed project as determined by peer review o Availability of funds o Program balance among research areas of the announcement INQUIRIES Written and telephone inquiries concerning this PA are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Rochelle Small, Ph.D. Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Executive Plaza South, Room 400-C 6120 Executive Boulevard Rockville, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 402-3464 FAX: (301) 402-6251 Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Sharon Hunt Grants Management Office National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Executive Plaza South, Room 400-B 6120 Executive Boulevard Rockville, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 402-0909 AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.173. Awards are made under authorization of the Public Health Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410, as amended by Public Law 99-158, 42 USC 241 and 285) and administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. .
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