How serotonin affects bone and muscle health
Serotonin and Skeletal Health
This project looks at whether serotonin and common antidepressants change bone strength and muscle function in adults, especially older people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11139611 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers will compare people who do and do not use SSRIs and measure bone using DXA and high-resolution peripheral CT scans, along with body composition and physical function tests. They will consider short-term versus long-term effects of SSRI use and look for links to fracture risk and muscle performance. The work builds on animal findings and earlier human imaging to try to clarify how serotonin pathways influence bone and falls risk. Participation would likely include clinic visits for scans and strength or mobility testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older, with particular interest in people 65 and over and those who are current or recent users of SSRIs, are the most relevant candidates for participation.
Not a fit: People under 21 or those whose bone problems are primarily due to unrelated causes (for example, genetic bone disorders or treatments like long-term glucocorticoids) may not see direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors choose safer antidepressant approaches and strategies to protect bone and muscle in adults, especially older patients.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies show clear serotonin effects on bone, and some human observational studies link SSRI use to higher fracture risk, but human results have been mixed so this approach is promising but not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Walker, Marcella Donovan — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Walker, Marcella Donovan
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.