How aging affects energy metabolism in bone cells
Official title: Osteocyte energy metabolism in aging
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-10873919 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how aging affects bone cells called osteocytes and their energy use, with the goal of finding ways to help improve bone health in older adults, especially when it comes to how these cells react to physical activity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $531,653 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG076569-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10873919 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing age-related bone loss or those at risk of osteoporosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger and do not have any bone health issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of aging on osteocytes, the primary cells in bone, and how their energy metabolism changes over time. It aims to understand the mechanisms that lead to impaired bone health in older adults, particularly focusing on how these cells respond to mechanical loading. By studying the regulation of energy metabolism in osteocytes, the research seeks to identify potential therapeutic targets to improve bone health in the elderly. The approach includes both in vitro and in vivo experiments to assess the effects of mechanical strain on energy metabolism.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that enhance bone health and reduce the risk of fractures in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding energy metabolism in aging, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kitase, Yukiko — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Kitase, Yukiko
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Aging Well with HIV: Alcohol, Risk Reduction, and Education Center (AWAR3E)
A center at Yale is exploring how aging with HIV interacts with alcohol use to create inflammation and frailty, with the goal of finding biomarkers and potential treatments.
-
Cognitive SuperAging: Exploring why some octogenarians stay sharp in memory
This NIH grant studies why a small group of people aged 80+ keep memory skills as good as much younger people, hoping to understand how to protect memory as we age.
-
Biological aging across the lifespan through a national high school-to-adult study
This grant uses a long-running national study of students and adults to collect saliva biomarkers of aging, alongside surveys, to understand how aging markers relate to health and life experiences.
-
Understanding how aging and Alzheimer’s affect how people make tough choices
This NIH grant studies how aging and Alzheimer’s risk change how people decide between immediate and delayed rewards and risky options, with the goal of helping older adults stay financially and healthwise safer.
-
Understanding how brain resilience and multiple brain pathologies influence aging and Alzheimer's disease
A long-term study follows older adults to learn how resilience to brain changes helps reduce dementia risk and what biological factors are linked to better cognitive aging.
-
National Neighborhood Data Archive helps researchers study aging health in U.S. neighborhoods
A nationwide data resource will help researchers understand how where people live affects health and aging, with a focus on respiratory illnesses in older adults.
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.