The Pulse

Rebecca Z. German, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator
rgerman@neomed.edu
Biography

Neurophysiology of Feeding Lab

Overview

The Neurophysiology of Feeding Lab studies swallowing dysfunction (dysphagia) and the protection of respiratory airways in pre-term and other medically compromised infants. Our research with the youngest population has potential applications for older adults, who often develop swallowing problems along with neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s. Our research uses an array of electrophysiology and biomechanical modalities including XROMM (high speed video-fluroscopy), electromyography (EMG), and plethysmography. We are interested in both the fundamental physiology and neural control of feeding, as well as pathophysiologies of compromised infants and the development of translational rehabilitation strategies. Our lab group is based on collaboration, both with clinical professionals and trainees interested in developing their research skills.

Current work

Project 1: Normal and Pathophysiology of Sensorimotor Interactions During Swallowing

We are working to determine the impact of sensory lesions on infant sucking and swallowing. We are examining the performance and biomechanical impacts of oropharyngeal sensory deficits on swallowing function. Rather than relying on retrospective or post-hoc clinical data, with significant variation and co-morbidities, we are able to isolate the specific sequelae to the sensory deficit. We have also measured the sensory impact of interventions on normal function. See:

  • Gould FDH, Mayerl CJ, Adjerid K, Edmonds C, Charles N, Johnson M, German RZ. Impact of volume and rate of milk delivery on coordination of respiration and swallowing in infant pigs. J Exp Zool A Ecol Integr Physiol. 2023 Aug 31. doi: 10.1002/jez.2754. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37653670.
  • Johnson ML, Steer KE, Edmonds CE, Adjerid K, German RZ, Mayerl CJ. Nipple properties affect sensorimotor integration during bottle feeding in an infant pig model. J Exp Zool A Ecol Integr Physiol. 2023 Oct;339(8):767-776. doi: 10.1002/jez.2727. Epub 2023 Jul 12. PMID: 37438924.

Project 2: The Effect of Preterm Birth on Airway Protection and Maturation

My currently funded work is to (1) develop a preterm model of infant pigs for studying swallowing and the coordination between deglutition and respiration, with and without an RLN lesion (R01 completed in 2022) and (2) test an automated feeding device to determine if that can reduce dysphagia and improve swallowing /respiration coordination. This work has resulted in over 15 publications, additional manuscripts currently in the review process, and over 50 national presentations by both me and the trainees in the lab.

  • Mayerl CJ, Gould FDH, Bond LE, Stricklen BM, Buddington RK, German RZ. Preterm birth disrupts the development of feeding and breathing coordination. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2019 Apr 25. doi: 10.1152 /japplphysiol.00101.2019. [Epub ahead of print] PMID:31018743 Note: This paper was selected for APSselect, a collection from the APS that showcases some of the best recently published articles in physiological research.
  •  Edmonds CE, Catchpole EA, Gould FDH, Bond LE, Stricklen BM, German RZ, Mayerl CJ Preterm Birth Impacts the Timing and Excursion of Oropharyngeal Structures during Infant Feeding. Integr Org Biol. 2020;2(1):obaa028. doi: 10.1093/iob/obaa028. Epub 2020 Aug 27.

Funding/support

Current
  • The effect of sensory intervention on swallowing and respiration through neurological maturation in preterm infants 05/2019 – 05/2024 NIH R01HD096881 Principal Investigator
  • The impact of a biomimetic nipple on infant performance during breast and bottle feeding 09/2022 – 08/2025 1R21HD105294 Principal Investigator
Earlier
  • Biology at birth: the role of infancy in providing the foundation for lifetime success. 1/01/2023 -12/31/23. NIH R13 HD111225-01 Principal Investigator
  • The Effect of Preterm Birth and RLN Damage on Airway Protection and Maturation 08/2016 – 05/2022 NIH R01HD088561 Principal Investigator $2,365,086 (direct)
  • Dysphagia and Recovery After Vagal or Laryngeal Nerve Injury 2/1/2010 – 1/31/2015 NIH DC009980  $2,017,850.70 Principal Investigator
  • A Novel Database and Ontology for Evolutionary Analyses of Mammalian Feeding Physiology COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: ABI Innovation (NSF). 2011-2014 DBI 1062333. $45,870
  • Symposium Proposal: Synthesis of Physiologic Data from the Mammalian Feeding Apparatus using FEED, the Feeding Experiments End-User Database. 2011-2012 PI SH Williams. Co-PIs: RZ German ,CJ Vinyard, CE Wall. National Science Foundation – Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS- 1050313). $13,500.
  • Differences in Swallow Mechanics in Infants and Adults, 7/1/01-6/30/08 NIH DC3604 04-09 $1,520,158
  • Dysphagia in Induced Parkinson’s Disease, 8/01/04- 7/31/07, NIH 1R21DC006953-01, $359,012
  • Differences in Swallow Mechanics in Infants and Adults, 7/1/98-6/30/01 NIH DC3604 01-03 $729,722
  • Heterochrony of Marsupials, Fulbright Senior Fellow, 9/97-5/98
  • Ontogeny of Feeding in a Preterm Animal Model, 4/1/92 – 3/31/96 NIH DE9967 $690,000
  • Oral Transport and Swallowing, NIH (consultant, J.B. Palmer, PI, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions) 4/1/92 – 3/31/9
  • Craniofacial Growth in the Third Trimester Human, 4/1/91- 3/31/94 NIH DE6505 $70,000.
  • Allometric Scaling of Human Limbs during Ontogeny, 1991. NIH BRSG, $10,000.
  • Ontogeny of Feeding Behavior in Primates, 4/1/89 – 3/31/92, NIH DE08697 $398,657.
  • Longitudinal Ontogenetic Allometry, 4/1/89 – 3/3/1/90, NIH BRSG $1,200
  • Biomechanics & Growth of Human Craniomandibular Muscles, 1/1/88-12/31/89, NIH DE5526.
  • Noninvasive Imaging of Human Infant Craniofacial Anatomy NIH BRSG 4/1/88 -3/31/89 $5,000
  • Fluorescence Digital Imaging Microscopy and Image Analysis System (co-PI), NIH DRR-BRS Shared Instrumentation Grant. 1988.
  • Orofacial Coordination during Feeding. 2/1/86 – 1/31/89, NIH DE07325. $107,500.
  • Perinatal Development of Human Craniomandibular Muscles. NIH BRSG 4/1/87-3/31/88. $3,045
  • Ontogenetic Allometry of Craniomandibular Muscles. NIH BRSG 4/1/86-3/31/87 $2,800.
  • Computerized Digitizing System for Morphometric Studies. NIH BRSG 4/1/85-3/31/86. $4,500

Select publications

  1. Kollech, HG, Chao, MR, Stark, AC, German, RZ Paniello, RC, Chistensen, MB, Barkmeier-Kraemer, JM, and Vande Geest, JP. 2022. Extracellular matrix deformations of the porcine recurrent laryngeal nerve in response to hydrostatic pressure. Acta Biomaterialia. [epub] ISSN 1742-7061, //doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2022.09.039.
  2. Johnson ML, Steer KE, Edmonds CE, Adjerid K, German RZ, Mayerl CJ. 2023 Nipple properties affect sensorimotor integration during bottle feeding in an infant pig model. Exp Zool A Ecol Integr Physiol. Oct;339(8):767-776. doi: 10.1002/jez.2727. Epub 2023 Jul 12.PMID: 3743892
  3. Steer KE, Johnson ML, Adjerid K, Bond LE, Howe SP, Khalif A, Nkachukwu KC, Edmonds CE, German RZ, Mayerl CJ. 2023 The Function of the Mammal Extrinsic Tongue Musculature in the Transition from Suckling to Drinking. Integr Comp Biol. Sep 15;63(3):641-652. doi: 10.1093/icb/icad023.PMID: 371603534
  4. Mayerl CJ, German RZ. 2023 Evolution, diversification and function of the maternal-infant dyad in mammalian feeding. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2023 Dec 4;378(1891):20220554. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0554. Epub 2023 Oct 16.PMID: 37839443
  5. Magrini SH, Mossor AM, German RZ, Young JW 2023. Developmental factors influencing bone strength in precocial mammals: An infant pig model. . J Anat. 2023 Jul;243(1):174-181. doi: 10.1111/joa.13848. Epub 2023 Feb 23.PMID: 36815568
  6. Young JW, Mayerl CJ, Mannava A, Lewis C, Fan T, Nair M, Mamone C, Schapker NM, Mossor AM, German RZ. 2023 Evaluating The Precocial-altricial Axis of Motor Skill at Birth in A Preterm Pig Model. Integr Comp Biol. 2023 Sep 15;63(3):625-640. doi: 10.1093/icb/icad013. PMID: 37024270
  7. Gould FDH, Mayerl CJ, Adjerid K, Edmonds C, Charles N, Johnson M, German RZ. 2023. Impact of volume and rate of milk delivery on coordination of respiration and swallowing in infant pigs. J Exp Zool A Ecol Integr Physiol. 2023 Dec;339(10):1052-1058. doi: 10.1002/jez.2754. Epub 2023 Aug 31.PMID: 37653670
  8. Steer KE, Johnson ML, Edmonds CE, Adjerid K, Bond LE, German RZ, Mayerl CJ. 2023. The Impact of Varying Nipple Properties on Infant Feeding Physiology and Performance Throughout Ontogeny in a Validated Animal Model. 2023 Nov 10. doi: 10.1007/s00455-023-10630-w. Online ahead of print.PMID: 37947879
  9. Howe S, Steer K, Johnson M, Adjerid K, Edmonds C, German R, Mayerl C. Exploring the interaction of viscosity and nipple design on feeding performance in an infant pig model. J Texture Stud. 2023 Dec;54(6):936-946. doi: 10.1111/jtxs.12797. Epub 2023 Sep 6. PubMed PMID: 37673688; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10872838.
  10. Edmonds CE, Robbins KN, Dvorak EG, Howe SP, Sheldon SA, Mayerl CJ, Owairu BA, Young BM, German RZ. 2024. The effects of simulated gastroesophageal reflux on infant pig oropharyngeal feeding physiology. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2024 Jul 1;327(1):G105-G116. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00027.2024. Epub 2024 May 21.PMID: 387729052 2023
  11. Steer KE, Johnson ML, Edmonds CE, Adjerid K, Bond LE, German RZ, Mayerl CJ. 2024. The Impact of Varying Nipple Properties on Infant Feeding Physiology and Performance Throughout Ontogeny in a Validated Animal Model. 2024 Jun;39(3):460-467. doi: 10.1007/s00455-023-10630-w. Epub 2023 Nov 10.PMID: 37947879
  12. Mayerl CJ, Kaczmarek EB, Smith AE, Shideler HE, Blilie ME, Edmonds CE, Steer KE, Adjerid K, Howe S, Johnson ML, Danos N, German RZ 2024. A Ducted, Biomimetic Nipple Improves Aspects of Infant Feeding Physiology and Performance in an Animal Model. doi: 10.1007/s00455-024-10780-5. Online ahead of print. PMID: 39487856
  13. Mayerl CJ, Kaczmarek EB, Kennedy ME, Shideler HE, Smith AE, German RZ. 2025 Regional heterogeneity in the EMG activity of extrinsic tongue muscles is critical to tongue function. Integr Comp Biol. May 8:icaf029. doi: 10.1093/icb/icaf029. PMID: 40338623
  14. Gould FDH, Mayerl C, Adjerid K, Reibel J, Charles N, Edmonds C, German RZ.  2025. Longitudinal Changes in Aerodigestive Responses to Varying Nipple Properties in Infant Pigs. J Exp Zool A Ecol Integr Physiol. 2025 Jun;343(5):608-616. doi: 10.1002/jez.2914. Epub 2025 Mar 20.PMID: 40114466

Select collaborators

  • Julie Barkmeier-Kraemer, PhD, CCC-SLP, University of Utah
  • A.W. Crompton, Harvard University
  • Christopher Mayerl, Northern Arizona University
  • Francois Gould, Rowan University
  • Philip Turk, NEOMED
  • Sudarshan Jadcherla, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
  • Daniel Lebovitz, Akron Children’s Hospital

Open positions

  • See open positions in this lab on the NEOMED careers site.
  • The Neurophysiology of Feeding Lab welcomes interested undergraduates, medical/dental students, graduate/Ph.D. students, and postdoctoral fellows. Please contact Dr. German.

Lab alumni

Dr. Linda Levitch (faculty, UNC), Dr. Jeffery Shultz (faculty, UMD), Dr. J. Micheal Plavcan (faculty University Arkansas), Dr. Donna Carlson Jones (deceased, faculty, University of Cincinnati), Dr. Jason Organ (faculty, Indiana University), Dr. Nicolai Konow (faculty, University of Massachusetts, Lowell), Dr. Ceiling Ding (private practice) Dr. Regina Campbell-Malone (2ndary education). Dr. Francois Gould (faculty, Rowan University), Dr. Christopher Mayerl (faculty, Northern Arizona University), Dr. Khaled Adjerid (Faculty, Tulane University), Dr. Stephen Howe (entrepreneurial private industry).

See next

Contact

Deborah Heeter
Email | 330.325.6636

Department Chair

J.G.M. ‘Hans’ Thewissen, Ph.D.
Phone: 330.325.6295
Email:  thewisse@neomed.edu

Department of Biomedical Sciences

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