The link between urine cadmium levels and bone health in older adults
Official title: Urine cadmium and risk of fracture and bone loss
Funded at State University New York Stony Brook · NIH-11182199 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $112,219 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AR081125-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11182199 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who may have been exposed to cadmium through diet or environmental factors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 65 or those without any history of bone health issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how levels of cadmium found in urine may affect bone health, particularly focusing on the risk of fractures and bone loss in older adults. By analyzing existing data from two major osteoporosis studies, the research aims to understand the long-term effects of cadmium exposure on bone density and overall skeletal health. Participants will be monitored over a period of up to 20 years to assess changes in bone mineral density and the incidence of fractures. The study utilizes urine cadmium as a biomarker to evaluate exposure levels and their potential impact on bone health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention strategies for osteoporosis and fractures in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have indicated a correlation between cadmium exposure and bone health, but this research aims to provide more definitive evidence through a large prospective approach.
Where this research is happening
-
State University New York Stony Brook
Stony Brook, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meliker, Jaymie R — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Meliker, Jaymie R
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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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.
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Systemic bone loss after fracture in humans
This project tests how a fracture in people affects bone loss across the body over time, especially comparing younger and older adults.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.