Investigators

Research Profiles: 

1. Pathophysiological mechanisms of bone resorption after anterior disc displacement without reduction 

2. Pathophysiological mechanisms of bone regeneration after disc-reducing and anterior repositioning splint treatment

3. Mechanisms of how spinal microglia are activated and which pathway activated microglia modulate pain transmission in the spinal cord

Research Expertise

Area of Research Expertise:

Currently we are doing clinical research in the field of TMD, focusing on disc reducing for TMD anterior disc displacement, early diagnosis and early intervention in TMD osteoarthrosis. We are also interested in doing basic research about molecular mechanisms for bone degeneration and bone regeneration in TMD, pain mechanismsof how spinal microglia are activated and which pathway activated microglia modulate pain transmission in the spinal cord.

Research Theme:

Bone degeneration, Bone regeneration, Pain mechanism, Spinal microglial activation

Academic Publications

1. Zhang MJ, Yap AUJ, Lei J, Fu KY*. Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of the Fonseca anamnestic index for temporomandibular disorders. J Oral Rehabil 2020

2. Liu YS, Yap AUJ, Lei J, Liu MQ, Fu KY*. Association between hypoplastic condyles and TMJ disc displacements: A CBCT and MRI metrical analysis. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2020

3. Lei J, Yap AUJ, Li Y, Liu MQ, Fu KY*. Clinical protocol for managing acute disc displacement without reduction: An MRI evaluation. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2020

4. Liang YJ, Feng SY, Qi YP, Li K, Jin ZR, Jing HB, Liu LY, Cai J, Xing GG*, Fu KY*. Contribution of microglial reaction to increased nociceptive responses in high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity in male mice. Brain Behavior Immunity 2019; 80: 777–792

5. Lei J, Yap AUJ, Liu MQ,Fu KY*. Condylar repair and regeneration in adolescents/young adults with early-stage degenerative temporomandibular joint disease: a randomized controlled study. J Oral Rehabil 2019 Aug;46(8):704-714

6. Liu YS, Yap AUJ, Lei J, Fu KY*. Is temporomandibular joint disc displacement without reduction a plausible cause of condylar hypoplasia? A case report. Current Dentistry 2019; 1:68-73

7. Chen HM, Liu MQ, Yap AUJ, Fu KY*.Physiological effects of anterior repositioning splint on Temporomandibular joint disc displacement: A quantitative analysis. J Oral Rehabil 2017Sep;44(9):664-672

8. Liu MQ, Lei J, Han JH, Yap AUJ, Fu KY*. Metrical analysis of disc-condyle relation with different splint treatment positions in patients with TMJ disc displacement. J App Oral Sci2017 Sep-Oct;25(5):483-489

9. Lei J, Yap AUJ, Zhang Y, Fu KY*.Unilateral complete articulated ossification and aberrant thickening of the stylohyoid chain. J Oral Sci 2017, 59(1): 157-160

10. Lei J, Han JH, Liu MQ, Zhang Y, Yap AUJ, Fu KY*.Degenerative temporomandibular joint changes associated with recent on-set disc displacement without reduction in adolescents and young adults. J CraniomaxillofacSurg2017; 45(3): 408-413

11. Lei J, Fu J, Yap AUJ, Fu KY*. Temporomandibular disorders symptoms in Asian adolescents and their association with sleep quality and psychological distress. CRANIO The Journal of Craniomandibular & Sleep Practice 2016 Jul;34(4):242-9

12. Yao Y, Tan YH, Light AR, Mao J, Yu CH, Fu KY*. Alendronate attenuates spinal microglial activation and neuropathic pain. J Pain 2016 Aug;17(8):889-903

13. Lei J, Liu MQ, Yap AUJ, Fu KY*. Sleep disturbance and psychological distress: Prevalence and risk indicators for Temporomandibular Disorders in a Chinese population.JOral Facial Pain Headache2015;29(1):24-30

14. Chen XY, Li K, Light AR, Fu KY*. Simvastatin attenuates formalin-induced nociceptive behaviors by inhibiting microglial RhoA and p38 MAPK activation. J Pain2013 Nov;14(11):1310-9.

15. Li K, Tan YH, Light AR, Fu KY*. Different peripheral tissue injury induces differential phenotypic changes of spinal activated microglia. Clin Dev Immunol 2013;2013:901420

16. Cao Y, Li K, Fu KY, Xie QF, Chiang C-U, Sessle BJ. Central sensitization and MAPKs are involved in occlusal interference-induced facial pain in rats. J Pain 2013 Aug;14(8):793-807

17. Lei J, Liu MQ, Yap AUJ, Fu KY*. Subarticular cyst-like lesion associated with avascular necrosis of the mandibular condyle: A case report. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2013;115(3):393-8

18. Lei J, Liu MQ, Yap AUJ, Fu KY*.Condylar subchondral formation of cortical bone inadolescents and young adults. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg2013; 51(1): 63–68

19. Tan YH, Li K, Chen XY, Cao Y, Light AR, Fu KY*. Activation of Src family kinases in spinal microglia contributes to formalin-induced persistent pain state through p38 pathway. J Pain 2012;13(10):1008-15     

20. Liu MQ, Chen HM, Yap AUJ, Fu KY*. Condylar remodeling accompanying splint therapy: A cone-beamcomputerized tomography study of patients withtemporomandibular joint disk displacement. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol2012;114(2):259-65

21. Cao Y, Zhang W, Yap AUJ, Xie QF, Fu KY*. Clinical characteristics of lateral pterygoid myospasm: a retrospective study of 18 patients.Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2012;113(6):762-5

22. Li K, Lin T, Cao Y, Light AR, Fu KY*. Peripheral formalin injury induces two stages of microglial activation in the spinal cord. J Pain 2010;11(11):1056-65

23. Li K, Fu KY*, Light AR, Mao J.Systemic minocycline differentially influences changes in spinal microglial markers following formalin-induced nociception. J Neuroimmunol 2010;221(1-2):25-31

24. Fu KY*, Chen HM, Sun ZP, Zhang ZK, Ma XC. Long-term efficacy of botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of habitual dislocation of the temporomandibular joint. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2010; 48(4): 281-284

25. Cao Y, Xie QF, Li K, Light AR, Fu KY*. Experimental occlusal interference induces long-term masticatory muscle hyperalgesia in rats. Pain 2009;144(3):287-93

26. Fu KY*, Li YW, Zhang ZK, Ma XC. Osteonecrosis of the mandibular condyle as a precursor to osteoarthrosis: a case report. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod2009;107(1):e34-38

27. Fu KY*, Tan YH, Sung B, Mao J. Peripheral formalin injection induces unique spinal cord microglial phenotypic changes. Neurosci Lett 2009;449(3):234–239 

Honours and Awards

INfORM Investigator Awards by Quintessence Publishing and Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache, IADR 2018