NIH-funded research R01 grant

Systemic bone loss after fracture in humans

Official title: Systemic Bone Loss Following Fracture in Humans

Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11369808 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project tests how a fracture in people affects bone loss across the body over time, especially comparing younger and older adults.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project startSeptember 30, 2023
Project endMay 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$807,776
NIH project number5R01AG078347-04
Project IDNIH-11369808 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults aged 20-40 and 60-80 who have recently sustained a humerus fracture and are willing to undergo imaging studies.

Less likely to help

People without a recent humerus fracture or those unable to complete imaging may not benefit from this study.

What this research studies

The study will track people who recently had a humerus fracture using standard clinical imaging and advanced high-resolution scans to map how bone density changes systemically. It aims to chart how long any bone loss lasts, whether trabecular bone is more affected than cortical bone, and how recovery differs between younger and older adults. Researchers will compare time courses of bone mineral density at multiple sites, including the spine and arms, to understand systemic bone loss after fracture. The work builds on animal data and seeks to translate findings to human patients who have suffered fractures.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the study could clarify how long patients remain at higher fracture risk after an injury and inform targeted prevention or treatment strategies.

How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies in animals suggest a systemic bone loss after fracture; this trial extends that work to humans to confirm applicability.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California, San Francisco
    San Francisco, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Kazakia, Galateia J — University of California, San Francisco
  • Study coordinator: Kazakia, Galateia J

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Urine cadmium and bone health in older adults

    This project looks at whether long-term cadmium exposure, measured in urine, is linked to bone loss and fractures in older adults.

    NIH research State University New York Stony Brook · Stony Brook, United States · NIH-11420047

  • Mechanisms of bone loss after a fracture

    A study at UC San Francisco will look at why bones elsewhere in the body lose mass after a fracture by analyzing blood to find biological clues.

    NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-11386666

  • Blood PFAS levels and bone loss in older adults

    This project will look at whether common environmental chemicals called PFAS in blood are linked to bone thinning and higher fracture risk in older adults.

    NIH research University of Massachusetts Amherst · Hadley, United States · NIH-11324617

  • Cadmium exposure and bone health in older adults

    This project looks at whether long-term cadmium exposure is linked to bone loss and fractures in older men and women.

    NIH research State University New York Stony Brook · Stony Brook, United States · NIH-11184369

  • The link between urine cadmium levels and bone health in older adults

    This study is looking at how cadmium in urine might affect bone health and increase the risk of fractures in older adults, and it will track participants over 20 years to see how their bones change over time.

    NIH research State University New York Stony Brook · Stony Brook, United States · NIH-11182199

  • Investigating the link between PFAS exposure and bone health in older adults

    This study is looking at how certain chemicals called PFAS might affect bone health and increase the risk of fractures in older adults, and it will follow a diverse group of people for up to 20 years to see how these chemicals impact their bones over time.

    NIH research University of Massachusetts Amherst · Hadley, United States · NIH-11142526

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.