Understanding osteoarthritis and its impact on pain and function
Official title: Novel Insights into Osteoarthritis, Pain and Function: MOST4
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11056738 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how osteoarthritis affects people and what factors influence their pain and ability to move, and it's inviting individuals, especially from underrepresented groups, to help us learn more so we can create better treatments for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $8,105,108 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AG076471-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056738 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with knee osteoarthritis or those at risk of developing it, particularly from underrepresented minority groups.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced osteoarthritis who are not eligible for the study or those with unrelated conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) and the factors influencing pain and function in affected individuals. It involves recruiting participants, including those from underrepresented minority groups, to gather comprehensive data on pain, biomechanics, and joint health through various methods, including MRI imaging. The study aims to enhance our understanding of OA and develop targeted treatment strategies that could improve patient outcomes. Participants will contribute to a large dataset that informs future research and treatment approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new, more effective treatments for osteoarthritis that improve pain management and functional outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous iterations of the MOST study have successfully contributed to our understanding of osteoarthritis, indicating that this approach has a strong foundation and potential for further advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Felson, David Tobin — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Felson, David Tobin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
-
Identifying OA subtypes and early warning signs before joint damage
This grant asks researchers to find early, invisible clues of osteoarthritis subtypes so we can target treatments before joints are damaged.
-
Digital biomarkers to guide personalized rehab after ACL injury
Aims to use wearable sensors and phone videos to predict early osteoarthritis risk after ACL surgery so rehabilitation can be tailored to each patient.
-
Aberrant mechano-oxygen coupling linked to zinc-rich mineralization in osteoarthritis
Aims to understand how abnormal joint forces affect cartilage and bone, causing zinc-rich mineral deposits and harmful blood vessel growth in osteoarthritis.
-
Notch signaling in TMJ osteoarthritis: uncovering mechanisms and new targets
Researchers are studying how Notch signaling affects TMJ osteoarthritis to identify new ways to protect and repair the jaw joint.
-
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.
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.