Boosting bone strength by targeting brain‑to‑bone signals
Rejuvenating Skeletal Health Through A Novel Brain-Bone Axis
This project looks for a blood-borne signal from the brain that could help older adults keep stronger bones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11299507 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how certain neurons in the hypothalamus influence bone mass using mouse models that show unusually high bone strength. They plan to identify the circulating molecule made downstream of those brain cells and use high-resolution genomic and biochemical tools to find it. The team also uses dietary challenges and other experiments to narrow candidates and test how the factor changes bone fat and bone quality. If found, the molecule could be studied in people and guide development of new treatments for age-related bone loss.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future clinical work would include older adults with age-related bone loss or osteoporosis, especially postmenopausal women.
Not a fit: People without age-related bone loss or whose bone problems are due to rare genetic disorders or certain chronic medications may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new therapies that increase bone mass and lower fracture risk in older adults with age-related bone loss.
How similar studies have performed: Related mouse studies showed dramatic bone gains after altering specific hypothalamic pathways, but translating a circulating brain‑derived factor to human treatments is largely novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ingraham, Holly a. — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Ingraham, Holly a.
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 below.