Understanding Nerves and Tibia Bone Strength
Official title: The Impact of Disrupting Sensory Innervation on Tibial Bone Mass
Funded at University of New England · NIH-11161473 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how sensory nerves in the leg affect the strength of your shin bone, aiming to prevent fractures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New England NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Biddeford, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $177,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM150784-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11161473 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients concerned about bone density, osteoporosis, or shin bone fractures might find this foundational research relevant to their condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate clinical treatment or direct participation in a human trial would not directly benefit from this basic science project.
What this research studies
Fractures in the shin and calf bones, often linked to weak bones, can cause serious health problems. Our bones are constantly rebuilding themselves, and sensory nerves play a role in this process by communicating with bone cells. While we know these nerves are important for bone health, we don't fully understand what happens to bone strength when this nerve communication is disrupted over time. This project uses models to learn more about how these nerves influence bone density in the shin bone.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to identify individuals at risk for shin bone fractures and develop treatments to improve bone density.
How similar studies have gone: While preliminary studies suggest a link between sensory nerves and bone density, the long-term effects of disrupting these nerve signals on bone health are not yet fully understood.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New England
Biddeford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Becker, Kathleen a — University of New England
- Study coordinator: Becker, Kathleen a
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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.