Multiparametric Evaluation of osteosarcopeniA diSease Using magnetic Resonance ImagiNG

Osteosarcopenia (OSP) is a recently recognized pathology of aging defined as the co-occurrence of osteopenia/osteoporosis (OP) andsarcopenia (SP) leading to high morbidity, disability, and mortality with an associated tremendous economic burden. There are noapproved therapies specifically targeting OSP.

It is critical to monitor OSP pathophysiology, progression, and response to therapyholistically by simultaneously measuring effective quantitative biomarkers sensitive to early changes in tissues to provide meaningfulinformation on various mechanisms involved in OSP.As an MSCA fellow, Dr.

Barbieri will exploit crucial training at i) the University of Bologna (Host Institution), ii) Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute (Associated Partment linked to the beneficiary), and Stanford University (Associated Partner) during a secondment of 8 months.

The excellent network of mentors and participant organizations will ensure the success of the overarching overall objective of the project:to propose technical advancements in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sequences, protocols, and processing to overcome thecurrent limitations of MRI-based assessment of cortical and trabecular porosities and to use a multi-parametric approach to studyassociation of bone and muscle quality biomarkers in postmenopausal osteoporotic and osteosarcopenic women.

The specificsobjectives are (1) to develop a rapid MRI sequence to measure cortical and trabecular porosities, which is not currently feasible, (2) todevelop a clinically feasible MRI protocol to map muscle and bone quality, and (3) to assess the association between bone biomarkersand muscle quality biomarkers in OP and OSP women.The excellent technical expertise, paired with training in clinical imaging, will allow Dr.

Barbieri to produce: a new MRI sequence to bedeployed open access; a new multi-parametric approach to study OSP; information on bone and muscle biomarkers association; anddissemination to crucial target audiences.