How the hormone FSH affects bones and body fat as we age
Deconvoluting the Mechanism of FSH Action on Bone and Body Fat With Aging
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · NIH-11365787
Researchers are seeing if blocking the hormone FSH can help protect bone, reduce body fat, and lower Alzheimer-related changes, especially for people going through menopause.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11365787 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
The team is using laboratory and animal models to test an antibody called MS-Hu6 that blocks the hormone FSH to see whether it reverses bone loss, lowers fat, and reduces Alzheimer-like changes. They will examine which specific bone cells (osteoblasts, osteocytes, or osteoclasts) respond to FSH so treatments can be targeted more precisely. The work is guided by human menopause data showing rising FSH levels link with bone loss, increased adiposity, and cognitive decline. If findings are promising, the goal is to advance MS-Hu6 toward early human safety and effectiveness studies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be older adults—especially peri- or postmenopausal women—or people with bone loss, increased adiposity, or early signs of Alzheimer-related change who might benefit from hormone-targeted approaches.
Not a fit: People without FSH-related disease drivers, such as young adults or those with advanced late-stage Alzheimer’s disease, may be unlikely to benefit from this hormone-targeted approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new treatments that prevent or reverse bone loss, reduce excess body fat, and lower Alzheimer’s-related risk in aging adults, particularly around menopause.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical animal studies of FSH blockade have shown promising prevention of bone loss, obesity, and Alzheimer-like changes, but human trials have not yet been completed.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: YUEN, TONY — ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- Study coordinator: YUEN, TONY
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.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome