Investigating how nerve signaling affects bone loss after spinal cord injury
Official title: Sympathetic signaling as a candidate mechanism underlying bone loss after spinal cord injury
Funded at Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr · NIH-11164979 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how spinal cord injuries can lead to bone loss and is testing how certain nerve signals might affect this process, with the hope of finding new ways to help people with spinal cord injuries keep their bones healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $37,568 |
| NIH project number | 1F31AR085992-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11164979 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced a spinal cord injury and are at risk for osteoporosis or osteopenia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not suffered a spinal cord injury or those with pre-existing conditions unrelated to SCI may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the mechanisms behind bone loss in individuals who have suffered a spinal cord injury (SCI). It focuses on the role of sympathetic nerve signaling and how changes in this signaling may contribute to osteoporosis following SCI. Using a rodent model, the study will manipulate levels of norepinephrine to observe its effects on bone density. The goal is to better understand the biological processes at play and identify potential therapeutic targets for preventing bone loss in affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that prevent or reduce bone loss in patients with spinal cord injuries.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of investigating sympathetic signaling in relation to bone loss is relatively novel, previous studies have shown that understanding nerve signaling can lead to breakthroughs in treating osteoporosis.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bryan, Jessica — Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
- Study coordinator: Bryan, Jessica
Related research
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Preventing bone loss after spinal cord injury with denosumab followed by zoledronic acid
This project will test whether giving denosumab first and then zoledronic acid can help prevent rapid bone loss in people who recently had a spinal cord injury.
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Using denosumab and zoledronic acid to prevent bone loss after spinal cord injury
This study is looking at how two medications, denosumab and zoledronic acid, can help prevent bone loss in people who have recently experienced a spinal cord injury, with the hope of improving their recovery and overall health.
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Corticospinal neurons and recovery of precise forelimb movement after spinal cord injury
This project studies how spine injuries change brain circuits and whether targeted rehabilitation helps restore precise forelimb movement.
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This study looks at how a common antispasmodic medicine (baclofen) works together with spinal cord stimulation in people who have spinal cord injuries and live with spasticity.
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Targeting spinal cord inflammation with a new HuR inhibitor to help SCI patients
A new treatment approach uses a small molecule to block a brain-spinal inflammation regulator (HuR) that drives harmful inflammation after spinal cord injury, aiming to lessen damage and pain for people with SCI.
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From Neural Control of Movement to Treatments for Spinal Cord Injury
A patient-focused project aims to translate how brain signals control movement after spinal cord injury into new treatments that improve muscle function and reduce spasticity.
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.