Understanding how muscle and bone work together to prevent fractures in older adults
Computed tomography muscle size and composition associations with hip and spine bone strength over 4 years: SOMMA-CT
This project looks at how muscle size and health, as seen on CT scans, connect with bone strength in older men and women to help prevent broken bones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11081038 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As we age, both our muscles and bones can weaken, increasing the risk of painful fractures. This project uses advanced CT scans to get a detailed look at muscle and bone properties in the hip and spine. We want to understand how these two systems interact and what changes might lead to weaker bones. By also looking at muscle performance and special markers in the blood, we hope to find new ways to identify and help older adults at higher risk of fractures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project is an ancillary study building on the existing Study of Muscle, Mobility & Aging (SOMMA), focusing on older men and women already participating in that research.
Not a fit: Patients not currently enrolled in the SOMMA study would not directly benefit from this specific research opportunity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better ways to screen for fracture risk and develop new treatments to strengthen both muscles and bones, ultimately preventing serious injuries.
How similar studies have performed: This project builds on the established SOMMA study and uses advanced imaging techniques that have shown promise in assessing bone health beyond standard measures.
Where this research is happening
Winston-Salem, United States
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences — Winston-Salem, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weaver, Ashley — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Weaver, Ashley
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.