A new target to improve bone healing in older adults
Official title: A novel target in aged fracture healing
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11326777 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Duke University team is testing whether lowering a blood protein called ApoE can help bones heal faster after fractures in older people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $416,042 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG081393-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11326777 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged older than 65 with recent bone fractures and otherwise suitable for standard fracture care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fractures due to acute trauma unrelated to aging or with conditions that affect healing in ways unrelated to ApoE may see no benefit.
What this research studies
As we age, bones don’t heal as well, leading to more surgeries and longer recovery. This project focuses on ApoE, a protein that increases with age and has been shown to slow bone repair in mice. By using a targeted antibody to neutralize ApoE, researchers aim to boost bone formation and improve healing after fractures. The study will build on prior lab findings and move toward therapies that could be used in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could speed up fracture healing in older adults and reduce complications and surgeries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in animals showed that lowering ApoE improves aged fracture repair, supporting potential translation to humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baht, Gurpreet — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Baht, Gurpreet
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.