Identifying OA subtypes and early warning signs before joint damage
Official title: Identifying pre-osteoarthritis endotypes and mechanisms
Funded at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged · NIH-11629811 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant asks researchers to find early, invisible clues of osteoarthritis subtypes so we can target treatments before joints are damaged.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $604,389 |
| NIH project number | 2R56AR075356-05A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11629811 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults at risk for or with early signs of OA, especially those with pre-radiographic symptoms and related systemic risk factors.
✕Less likely to help
People with established, radiographically confirmed OA may not be the primary focus of this pre-OA investigation.
What this research studies
The project looks at people who have osteoarthritis before it appears on X-rays to understand different subtypes and what causes them. It uses blood-based markers like DNA methylation and protein patterns to uncover systemic factors that may link OA with other aging-related conditions. By comparing knee, hand, and multi-joint OA, the study aims to identify distinct pathways that lead to OA and its broader health effects. The work builds on preliminary data showing specific methylation signals associated with OA, seeking to translate these clues into earlier interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to earlier, subtype-specific treatments that slow or prevent joint damage and improve overall health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown distinct methylation patterns in OA, supporting the pursuit of pre-disease markers, though this exact pre-OA subtype approach is exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yau, Michelle Szu-Huei — Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged
- Study coordinator: Yau, Michelle Szu-Huei
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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.