PTSD and bone health in Veterans
Official title: Exposing Invisible Wounds: Impacts of PTSD on Bone Health
Funded at Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center · NIH-11212803 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether PTSD leads to weaker bones and why, to help Veterans and others living with PTSD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2022 |
| Project end | September 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005168-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11212803 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
The grant itself does not enroll patients — its findings are intended to benefit Veterans and others living with PTSD who are at risk for low bone mass.
✕Less likely to help
People without PTSD or whose bone loss is clearly caused by unrelated medical conditions may not see direct benefit from this work.
What this research studies
This research uses a mouse model that reproduces key PTSD symptoms to explore how stress affects bone health. Scientists will measure bone density and bone strength and examine inflammation and molecular signals that may cause bone loss. The team combines bone imaging, mechanical testing, and laboratory analyses of tissues and cells to trace the biological steps from PTSD-like behavior to bone changes. The goal is to identify mechanisms that could guide future tests, preventives, or treatments for low bone mass in people with PTSD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to prevent or treat bone loss in people with PTSD, especially Veterans.
How similar studies have gone: Human meta-analyses link PTSD to low bone mass and preliminary animal data show PTSD-like mice lose bone, but the exact biological mechanisms are still largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Larue, Amanda C. — Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Larue, Amanda C.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how PTSD affects self-control and brain function
Researchers are studying how PTSD changes the brain’s control over thoughts and actions, and how this might affect Veterans’ daily lives and responses to treatment.
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Ketamine to boost fear extinction and memory on PTSD patients
A study testing whether ketamine can help people with PTSD better relearn and forget fear when given in a guided treatment plan.
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Treating PTSD and opioid use disorder in residential care with Written Exposure Therapy (WEST)
A short, patient-friendly plan to adapt a proven PTSD therapy for people with opioid use disorder in residential treatment and test its practicality and impact.
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Dynamic PTSD-Related Cognitive Risk in Aging WTC Responders
This project follows World Trade Center responders as they age to understand how PTSD symptoms relate to changes in thinking skills over time.
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Identifying brain proteins linked to PTSD and alcohol use disorder
Researchers are studying brain proteins that may contribute to PTSD and alcohol use disorder in US veterans to find new ways to help people who struggle with both conditions.
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Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy for Veterans with Social Anxiety and PTSD Symptoms
A clinical trial tests whether a flexible brain-behavior therapy helps veterans with social anxiety and PTSD symptoms feel better and engage more in daily life.
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.