Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) awarded The Ohio State University a $393,750 Project Grant on May 15, 2026, under the Oral Diseases and Disorders Research program (CFDA 93.121) to investigate the mechanisms linking psychological stress to bone loss and impaired skeletal growth. The research employs a rodent model of repeated social defeat (RSD) to examine the relationship between immunological processes, mental health, and bone physiology. The project will deliver three primary research products through its defined scope: (1) kinetic data on bone loss and growth plate reduction in adolescent mice following stress exposure; (2) mechanistic findings on osteoclast activation and chemokine signaling in stress-induced monocyte mobilization; and (3) investigative outcomes regarding mechanisms of stress-induced growth plate reduction. Research will be performed at The Ohio State University's Columbus, Ohio facility through May 14, 2027.

This investigator-initiated project addresses a significant public health need, as over 50 million Americans currently experience bone loss while 40 million suffer from anxiety disorders and 16 million from depressive disorders. The research outcomes are intended to support the development of more targeted interventions for treating psychological stress-related skeletal disorders, potentially benefiting multiple age populations affected by stress-induced bone and tooth loss.