Neuropeptide control of bone cell function [ 2007 - 2009 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: A/Pr Paul Baldock (Principal investigator) ,  Prof Herbert Herzog ,  Prof John Eisman

Brief description Osteoporosis is a disease associated with a progressive rise in the number of fractures in the elderly. These fractures are so common that around 1 in 3 women and 1in 4 men will be affected. They cause pain, disability that can be permanent and are associated with loss of independence even premature death. Current treatments are able to partially restore bone strength in osteoporotic patients but can not return bone strength to normal. Some new treatments can restore bone strength to some extent but these are limited by expense and safety concerns. We have discovered a pathway in the brain that when blocked, results in a doubling of the amount of bone in key bone sites and dramatic increases in bone strength. This occurs due to a marked increase in the amount of new bone formed. In fact, genetic manipulation of this pathway was able to double the speed at which bone is made by the skeleton. Excitingly, these increases in bone were possible in adult mice, suggesting such changes could be potential therapy for human patients. We went on to test the effectiveness of this pathway in animal models of human skeletal weakness and have shown that it is capable of remarkable benefits. However, in order to be able to harness this pathway we must understand what molecules within the bone that are responding to the signals from the brain. Our proposal aims to identify the nerve signalling molecule(s) and pathways for these signals within the bone that initiate the increase in bone formation. This project ultimately aims to identify a target for new therapies that could achieve this beneficial effect by administration in osteoporotic women and men

Funding Amount $AUD 662,065.08

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes New Investigator Grant