Understanding knee osteoarthritis in post-menopausal women

Menopausal Knee-ds: Elucidating mechanisms and treatments for knee osteoarthritis

NIH-funded research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10986977

This study is looking at how menopause affects knee osteoarthritis in women, using a special animal model to understand the role of hormones and proteins, with the goal of finding better treatments for women dealing with this condition.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-10986977 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the mechanisms behind knee osteoarthritis (KOA) specifically in post-menopausal women, who are at a higher risk for this condition. The study utilizes a unique animal model that simulates menopause to explore how hormonal changes affect the severity of KOA. By examining the role of specific proteins involved in the disease process, the research aims to identify new treatment strategies tailored for women experiencing menopause-related KOA. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to more effective therapies for their condition.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are post-menopausal women suffering from knee osteoarthritis.

Not a fit: Patients who are not post-menopausal or do not have knee osteoarthritis may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted treatments for knee osteoarthritis in post-menopausal women, improving their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research specifically targeting menopause-related KOA, similar studies have shown promise in understanding osteoarthritis mechanisms in women.

Where this research is happening

Pittsburgh, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.