Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and materials used to isolate and detect a high bone mass gene and a corresponding wild-type gene, and mutants thereof. The present invention also relates to the high bone mass gene, the corresponding wild-type gene, and mutants thereof. The genes identified in the present invention are implicated in bone development. The invention also provides nucleic acids, including coding sequences, oligonucleotide primers and probes, proteins, cloning vectors, expression vectors, transformed hosts, methods of developing pharmaceutical compositions, methods of identifying molecules involved in bone development, and methods of diagnosing and treating diseases involved in bone development. In preferred embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods for treating, diagnosing and preventing osteoporosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and materials used to isolate and detect a high bone mass gene and a corresponding wild-type gene, and mutants thereof. The present invention also relates to the high bone mass gene, the corresponding wild-type gene, and mutants thereof. The genes identified in the present invention are implicated in bone development. The invention also provides nucleic acids, including coding sequences, oligonucleotide primers and probes, proteins, cloning vectors, expression vectors, transformed hosts, methods of developing pharmaceutical compositions, methods of identifying molecules involved in bone development, and methods of diagnosing and treating diseases involved in bone development. In preferred embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods for treating, diagnosing and preventing osteoporosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and materials used to isolate and detect a high bone mass gene and a corresponding wild-type gene, and mutants thereof. The present invention also relates to the high bone mass gene, the corresponding wild-type gene, and mutants thereof. The genes identified in the present invention are implicated in bone development. The invention also provides nucleic acids, including coding sequences, oligonucleotide primers and probes, proteins, cloning vectors, expression vectors, transformed hosts, methods of developing pharmaceutical compositions, methods of identifying molecules involved in bone development, and methods of diagnosing and treating diseases involved in bone development. In preferred embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods for treating, diagnosing and preventing osteoporosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and materials used to isolate and detect a high bone mass gene and a corresponding wild-type gene, and mutants thereof. The present invention also relates to the high bone mass gene, the corresponding wild-type gene, and mutants thereof The genes identified in the present invention are implicated in bone development. The invention also provides nucleic acids, including coding sequences, oligonucleotide primers and probes, proteins, cloning vectors, expression vectors, transformed hosts, methods of developing pharmaceutical compositions, methods of identifying molecules involved in bone development, and methods of diagnosing and treating diseases involved in bone development. In preferred embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods for treating, diagnosing and preventing osteoporosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and materials used to isolate and detect a high bone mass gene and a corresponding wild-type gene, and mutants thereof. The present invention also relates to the high bone mass gene, the corresponding wild-type gene, and mutants thereof. The genes identified in the present invention are implicated in bone development and in focal adhesion signaling. The invention also provides nucleic acids, including coding sequences, oligonucleotide primers and probes, proteins, cloning vectors, expression vectors, transformed hosts, methods of developing pharmaceutical compositions, methods of identifying molecules involved in bone development, and methods of diagnosing and treating diseases involved in bone development. In preferred embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods for treating, diagnosing and preventing osteoporosis.

Abstract: A method of decreasing patient time in a catabolic state after a traumatic injury. The patient is administered systemically human growth hormone releasing factor or a biologically active analog of human growth hormone releasing factor. Administration in the case of voluntary traumatic injury such as surgery occurs just prior to commencing the surgery and thereafter continuing until recovery. In this way the time in a catabolic state is significantly decreased, and the patient moves more quickly to desired anabolic state necessary for recovery.

Abstract: The invention provides the chromosome location of an autosomal dominant gene associated with high bone mass. As a result of this localization, the presence of a polymorphism linked to the autosomal dominant gene in a subject can be detected by analyzing human chromosome 11 of the subject for the presence of the polymorphism located about 30 cM around D11S987 and linked to the autosomal dominant gene. The analysis of chromosome 11 can be accomplished by amplifying the polymorphism, separating the amplified polymorphism to generate a polymorphism pattern, and correlating the presence or absence of the polymorphism with the respective presence or absence of the autosomal dominant gene associated with high bone mass.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying compressive and tensile loads on bones having a frame with a work surface and a stepper motor. The stepper motor is operably connected to a rotational force to linear force converter which is in turn connected to an articulating arm for applying force to a first pair of pads. A second pair of pads is mounted to the work surface such that a bone may be placed across the second pair of pads such that either end of the bone is supported by the second pair of pads and such that the activation of the stepper motor causes the upper pair of pads to exert compressive bending strain on the lateral surface of the bone and such that the lower pair of pads exert tensile bending strain on the medial surface of the bone. A method of modifying hard tissue morphology is also described.

Abstract: A method of treating osteoporosis, especially postmenopausal osteoporosis, by administering on a periodic but regular basis to a patient growth hormone releasing factor, GRF(1-44)-NH.sub.2, or a biologically active analog thereof, and concurrently administering parathyroid hormone, PTH(1-34)-NH.sub.2 and continuing the administration until bone mass increases and the patient's calcium balance becomes positive and indicates a mineral accumulation in the skeleton.

Abstract: A method of treating osteoporosis, especially post-menopausal osteoporosis, by administering on a periodic but regular basis to a patient growth hormone releasing factor, GRF(1-44)-NH.sub.2, or a biologically active analog thereof, and continuing the administration until bone mass increases and the patient's calcium balance becomes positive and indicates a mineral accumulation in the skeleton.

Abstract: A method of treating osteoporosis, especially postmenopausal osteoporosis, by administering on a periodic but regular basis to a patient growth hormone releasing factor, GRF(1-44)--NH.sub.2, or a biologically active analog thereof, and continuing the administration until bone mass increases and the patient's calcium balance becomes positive and indicates a mineral accumulation in the skeleton.