Urine cadmium and bone health in older adults
Official title: Urine cadmium and risk of fracture and bone loss
Funded at State University New York Stony Brook · NIH-11420047 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether long-term cadmium exposure, measured in urine, is linked to bone loss and fractures in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $112,219 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AR081125-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11420047 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
The research focuses on older adults (generally age 65 and up), especially those with long-term health records and biospecimens who can help link urine cadmium to bone outcomes.
✕Less likely to help
Younger adults, people without available long-term health data or urine samples, and those whose bone loss is clearly caused by non-environmental factors may not see direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will use urine samples and health records from two large groups of older adults who have been followed for up to 20 years to compare cadmium levels with bone scans and fracture histories. They will measure urinary cadmium as a marker of long-term exposure and track changes in bone mineral density and recorded fractures over time. The team will account for other factors like age, smoking, diet, and kidney function so people like you can understand whether environmental cadmium might be contributing to weaker bones.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal cadmium as a preventable environmental risk for bone loss and fractures, guiding screening, dietary advice, or public health reductions in exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous cross-sectional studies have linked cadmium to lower bone density and fractures, but large long-term prospective analyses like this are relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
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State University New York Stony Brook
Stony Brook, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meliker, Jaymie R — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Meliker, Jaymie R
Related research
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Systemic bone loss after fracture in humans
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Blood PFAS levels and bone loss in older adults
This project will look at whether common environmental chemicals called PFAS in blood are linked to bone thinning and higher fracture risk in older adults.
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Cadmium exposure and bone health in older adults
This project looks at whether long-term cadmium exposure is linked to bone loss and fractures in older men and women.
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The link between urine cadmium levels and bone health in older adults
This study is looking at how cadmium in urine might affect bone health and increase the risk of fractures in older adults, and it will track participants over 20 years to see how their bones change over time.
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Investigating the link between PFAS exposure and bone health in older adults
This study is looking at how certain chemicals called PFAS might affect bone health and increase the risk of fractures in older adults, and it will follow a diverse group of people for up to 20 years to see how these chemicals impact their bones over time.
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.