Improving bone healing in older adults
Official title: A novel target in aged fracture healing
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11080964 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called ApoE affects how well older adults heal from bone fractures, and it aims to find a way to lower ApoE levels to help improve recovery for those with broken bones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $407,720 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG081393-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11080964 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who have experienced bone fractures and may have impaired healing due to age-related factors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger or do not have issues with bone healing related to aging may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how a protein called Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) affects the healing of bone fractures in older adults. The study aims to reduce the negative impact of aging on bone repair by using a targeted approach to lower ApoE levels in the body. By delivering a specific treatment to inhibit ApoE, researchers hope to enhance the body's natural ability to heal fractures. The ultimate goal is to develop new therapies that can be used in clinical settings to improve recovery outcomes for elderly patients with fractures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly improve bone healing in older adults, reducing complications and the need for additional surgeries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting ApoE to improve bone healing, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baht, Gurpreet — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Baht, Gurpreet
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Adenosine-based help to speed up bone fracture healing in older adults
A biomaterial-based approach delivers adenosine locally to fractures to speed healing in aging bones.
-
Role of Schwann Cell Precursors in Fracture Healing
This NIH grant explores how a specific nerve-support cell type called Schwann cell precursors may influence bone healing and pain after fractures, using mouse models to map how these cells behave during healing.
-
Longitudinal imaging to predict bone fracture healing using light-based tech
Aims to use safe light-based imaging over time to see how healing bones in people with fractures progress and whether early signals predict problems.
-
Rejuvenating B cells to help older people heal broken bones
Aims to boost aged B cells to improve how bone heals after fractures in older patients.
-
Intermittent Fasting to Boost Fracture Healing in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
A study tests whether intermittent fasting can improve bone healing in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes by changing the gut microbiome.
-
Next-Generation MRI to Predict Bone Healing Using Virtual Testing
A new MRI-based method uses advanced imaging and computer models to predict how well broken bones are healing, starting with shinbone (tibial) fractures.
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.