Finding transthyretin heart amyloid from lumbar spine surgery tissue
Analysis of Lumbar Spine Stenosis Specimens for Identification of Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis
['FUNDING_R01'] · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11374113
This project looks for transthyretin (TTR) amyloid in tissue removed during lumbar spine surgery to find people who may later develop TTR cardiac amyloidosis.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11374113 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you had lumbar spinal stenosis surgery, researchers will test your removed spine tissue for TTR amyloid using specialized lab stains and molecular tests. The multi-center, prospective cohort will identify people with TTR-positive spine specimens and collect clinical histories of orthopedic signs like carpal tunnel or tendon rupture. Participants will be followed with heart checks over time to see who develops transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis. The aim is to use common orthopedic specimens to flag people at higher risk years before heart symptoms appear.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults (typically over 60) who had lumbar spinal stenosis surgery with available spinal tissue and possible prior orthopedic signs such as bilateral carpal tunnel or joint replacements.
Not a fit: People without prior lumbar spine surgery, without available tissue specimens, or whose tissue does not contain TTR amyloid are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could enable earlier detection of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis so patients can get monitoring or treatment before severe heart problems develop.
How similar studies have performed: Early pilot data indicate amyloid is common in lumbar spine stenosis and many deposits are TTR, supporting this approach, but larger prospective confirmation is still needed.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MAURER, MATHEW S — COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- Study coordinator: MAURER, MATHEW S
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.