Understanding how aging affects bones and joints
Skeleton and Joint Degeneration with Aging
This study is looking at how aging affects the spine and joints, which can make it harder to move and lead to more frailty, and it aims to find new ways to help people with back pain and osteoarthritis feel better and move more easily.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11004715 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the degeneration of the spine and joints as people age, focusing on how this degeneration leads to decreased mobility and increased frailty. By studying the cellular changes and signaling processes involved in conditions like low back pain and osteoarthritis, the research aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms that contribute to these common age-related issues. The approach includes examining the unique characteristics of different types of osteoarthritis and how they relate to pain and mobility. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatments for these conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing joint pain or mobility issues related to aging.
Not a fit: Patients who are younger and do not have any joint or mobility issues may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve mobility and reduce pain for aging patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding joint degeneration and its impact on mobility, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cao, Xu — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Cao, Xu
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.