Biomarkers and Imaging to Predict Fractures in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Official title: Biochemical and Imaging Biomarkers for Fracture Prediction in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11365265 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are testing biochemical and imaging markers to predict which people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy will have fractures, so doctors can prevent them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | July 17, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $187,172 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR085874-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11365265 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy enrolled at participating centers, across the pediatric to adult age range.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Duchenne or those not meeting biomarker criteria may not see direct benefit.
What this research studies
In this study, researchers will follow 150 people with Duchenne over two years across three top neuromuscular centers to see which blood tests and imaging findings predict a fracture before it happens. They will look at markers like circulating endothelial cells and platelet-derived growth factor, plus imaging signals, to build a risk profile. The goal is to move toward preventing fractures rather than waiting for them to occur, by identifying high-risk patients early. The study is observational and aims to validate promising biomarkers using real patient data and samples.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could allow earlier fracture prevention and better bone health management for people with Duchenne.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest some biomarkers can predict fractures, but this larger validation study is needed for clinical use.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Crane, Janet — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Crane, Janet
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Advancing manufacturing and release testing for a Duchenne gene editing therapy
A project to optimize how a dual-vector AAV gene editing treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy is made and tested, so it can move toward clinical use.
-
Understanding why Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy worsens and how to stop it
A research team at USC is studying Duchenne muscular dystrophy to find out why the disease continues to progress and how to interrupt harmful changes in muscle tissue.
-
Stopping steroid-related muscle and bone wasting in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Researchers are testing ways to protect muscles and bones in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy who take long-term steroid medicines.
-
MR clues to how nNOS affects energy use and blood flow in Becker and Duchenne muscular dystrophy
This project looks at how advanced MRI tests can track muscle energy and blood flow changes in people with Becker and Duchenne muscular dystrophy as new gene therapies are explored.
-
Digital motor-skill tracking for infants with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy using wearables
A wearable-sensor project aims to quietly track and quantify how motor skills develop in babies and young boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
-
Genetic factors that influence Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy progression
A study to find genes that change how severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy is in boys and young men, using patient data and DNA samples.
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.