Understanding how nerves influence bone healing in skull injuries
Official title: Investigating neuroskeletal interactions in non-healing calvarial defect injuries
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11070898 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how nerves and bone cells work together when healing injuries in the face, with the hope of finding better ways to help patients recover from serious bone loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 18, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $49,774 |
| NIH project number | 1F31DE033910-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11070898 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with non-healing craniofacial bone defects or those at risk for critical-sized bone loss.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fully healed craniofacial injuries or those without significant bone loss may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex interactions between nerves and bone cells in the healing process of craniofacial injuries. By using advanced 3D imaging and single-cell transcriptomic techniques, the study aims to uncover how nerve infiltration and retraction affect bone formation in both healing and non-healing defects. The goal is to identify specific signaling interactions that could lead to improved treatments for critical-sized bone loss. Patients may benefit from insights that could enhance current therapeutic approaches for bone regeneration.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for promoting bone healing in patients with craniofacial injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding nerve-bone interactions, but this specific approach using advanced imaging techniques is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Horenberg, Allison — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Horenberg, Allison
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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.