Understanding knee osteoarthritis in post-menopausal women
Official title: Menopausal Knee-ds: Elucidating mechanisms and treatments for knee osteoarthritis
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10986977 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $53,974 |
| NIH project number | 7F30AG084163-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10986977 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are post-menopausal women suffering from knee osteoarthritis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not post-menopausal or do not have knee osteoarthritis may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gilmer, Gabrielle — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Gilmer, Gabrielle
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how knee pain and knee obesity and muscle loss affect knee osteoarthritis
This project looks at how knee swelling, excess knee fat, and muscle loss relate to pain and structural changes in knee osteoarthritis in adults.
-
Nanoparticles delivering an sPLA2 blocker for knee osteoarthritis
This project uses tiny, drug-filled nanoparticles to deliver an sPLA2-blocking medicine into the knee to reduce inflammation and slow knee osteoarthritis in people with painful knee OA.
-
Remote tai chi for knee OA in everyday care
A nationwide study will test remotely delivered tai chi for people with knee osteoarthritis to see if it helps pain and function when added to usual care.
-
Sensory nerves and joint cells talk to each other in knee arthritis
This grant tests how nerve signals and joint cells interact in knee osteoarthritis, with a focus on CGRP pathways and how they affect pain and joint damage.
-
From knee to brain: a whole-body look at inflammation in knee osteoarthritis
Aims to map inflammation across the body and brain in people with knee osteoarthritis using advanced imaging to help explain and improve pain and treatment.
-
Determinants of rapid knee osteoarthritis progression using radiograph features
A patient-friendly look at how knees with osteoarthritis may progress more quickly, using advanced X-ray measurements to identify who is at higher risk.
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.