Using denosumab and zoledronic acid to prevent bone loss after spinal cord injury

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This research focuses on preventing bone loss in individuals who have suffered an acute spinal cord injury (SCI) by using two medications: denosumab and zoledronic acid. The study aims to develop a detailed clinical trial plan that meets regulatory standards, which includes identifying clinical sites, creating training materials, and establishing data management protocols. The goal is to evaluate how effective these medications are in maintaining bone mass, particularly in the lower extremities, where significant bone loss occurs after SCI. By addressing the rapid bone loss that follows SCI, the research seeks to improve rehabilitation outcomes for affected individuals.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Northwestern University at Chicago
  Chicago, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Schnitzer, Thomas Jack — Northwestern University at Chicago
• Study coordinator: Schnitzer, Thomas Jack

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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  This study is looking at how spinal cord injuries can lead to bone loss and is testing how certain nerve signals might affect this process, with the hope of finding new ways to help people with spinal cord injuries keep their bones healthy.

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• Preventing bone loss after spinal cord injury with denosumab followed by zoledronic acid

  This project will test whether giving denosumab first and then zoledronic acid can help prevent rapid bone loss in people who recently had a spinal cord injury.

  NIH research Northwestern University · Chicago, United States · NIH-11158585

• Corticospinal neurons and recovery of precise forelimb movement after spinal cord injury

  This project studies how spine injuries change brain circuits and whether targeted rehabilitation helps restore precise forelimb movement.

  NIH research Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · New York, United States · NIH-11628900

• How baclofen and spinal cord stimulation interact in people with spinal cord injury

  This study looks at how a common antispasmodic medicine (baclofen) works together with spinal cord stimulation in people who have spinal cord injuries and live with spasticity.

  NIH research Mayo Clinic Rochester · Rochester, United States · NIH-11625970

• Targeting spinal cord inflammation with a new HuR inhibitor to help SCI patients

  A new treatment approach uses a small molecule to block a brain-spinal inflammation regulator (HuR) that drives harmful inflammation after spinal cord injury, aiming to lessen damage and pain for people with SCI.

  NIH research Birmingham VA Medical Center · Birmingham, United States · NIH-11617294

• From Neural Control of Movement to Treatments for Spinal Cord Injury

  A patient-focused project aims to translate how brain signals control movement after spinal cord injury into new treatments that improve muscle function and reduce spasticity.

  NIH research Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago D/b/a Shirley Ryan Abilitylab · Chicago, United States · NIH-11605996

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.