PTSD and bone health in Veterans
Exposing Invisible Wounds: Impacts of PTSD on Bone Health
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 ID | NIH-11212803 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: 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.
Not a fit: People without PTSD or whose bone loss is clearly caused by unrelated medical conditions may not see direct benefit from this work.
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 performed: 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
Charleston, United States
- 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.
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 below.