Collaborative for REsearch to Advance TMD Evidence (CREATE)

We propose to finally bridge the gap in our understanding of the relationship between temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain and underlying mechanisms, which will provide new diagnostics and therapeutics for TMD patients. We envision that the TMD Collaborative for Improving Patient-Centered Translational Research (TMD IMPACT) will address the need for:

TMD prevention, the development of effective and personalized TMD therapies, and expanding the current work force of those researching and managing TMD pain by taking a bidirectional translational approach. Our vision for TMD IMPACT involves five key components: 1) a Clinical Phenotyping Core responsible for Clinical Centers across the US, to coordinate patient

assessment and analyses, ensure clinical studies include whole-person evaluations of individuals with a TMD, the collection of phenotypic data that will be used to identify TMD subtypes and biomarkers predictive of underlying mechanisms, and patient outcomes and response to therapeutic interventions; 2) a Preclinical Core responsible for the validation of

preclinical models, establishing causal links between mechanisms and pain phenotypes, and for the initial efficacy, specificity, and safety testing of therapeutic interventions; 3) a Data and Biospecimen Management Core that will coordinate the integration of different data types and storage of biospecimens, such that TMD IMPACT resources follow FAIR principles and provide

long-lasting impacts on TMD research into the future; 4) an Education and Outreach Core to build scientific and clinical workforce capacity, thereby increasing the number of programs pursuing preclinical and clinical TMD research, expanding the availability of evidence-based care for people living with a TMD, and promoting dissemination and implementation of

advances made by the Collaborative; and 5) a Stakeholder Group consisting of patients/patient advocates, payers, and industry representatives who will provide feedback on all Collaborative efforts. During the proposed planning phase, our Collaborative for REsearch to Advance TMD Evidence (CREATE) team will work with the other selected teams to lay the groundwork needed

to establish the TMD-Collaborative and achieve a shared vision for TMD-IMPACT. Our general strategy will be to engage with funded sites and centers chosen for the TMD-IMPACT planning phase, as they will have expertise and infrastructure relevant to the four core components of the Collaborative.