Investigating how risedronate can prevent bone loss after bariatric surgery
Official title: Adding bone microarchitecture and strength measures to the STRONG BONES randomized trial examining risedronate use to mitigate bone loss after bariatric surgery
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11038003 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether the medication risedronate can help prevent bone loss in people over 40 who have had sleeve gastrectomy for weight loss, and it will involve 120 participants taking either the medication or a placebo for six months.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | February 23, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $380,865 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR083706-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11038003 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 40 and older who have recently undergone sleeve gastrectomy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had bariatric surgery or are younger than 40 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on patients who have undergone bariatric surgery, specifically sleeve gastrectomy, which can lead to bone loss. It aims to determine if the medication risedronate, typically used for osteoporosis, can help mitigate this bone loss. The study will involve 120 participants aged 40 and older, who will be randomly assigned to receive either risedronate or a placebo for six months. Researchers will use advanced imaging techniques to assess changes in bone microarchitecture and strength over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help prevent bone fragility in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery, improving their overall health and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that bisphosphonates can be effective in preventing bone loss in various populations, suggesting potential success for this approach in bariatric surgery patients.
Where this research is happening
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Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weaver, Ashley — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Weaver, Ashley
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Monthly risedronate pill to protect bones after sleeve gastrectomy
This will see if a once-monthly risedronate pill helps protect bone health for people who have had sleeve gastrectomy.
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Bone structure and strength after sleeve gastrectomy with risedronate
This project compares the osteoporosis drug risedronate to a placebo to help protect bone structure and strength in people aged 40 and older having sleeve gastrectomy.
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Using bisphosphonates to prevent bone loss after weight loss surgery
This study is looking at whether a monthly medication called risedronate can help people who have had sleeve gastrectomy surgery keep their bones strong and reduce the risk of fractures as they lose weight.
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Periodontitis and HIV treatment–related bone loss in the jaw and teeth
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How bariatric surgery helps the liver heal by immune cells
This grant explores how weight-loss surgery may protect the liver from fatty inflammation by changing liver immune cells.
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.