A recent study presented at the 50th International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine Annual Meeting 2024 has utilized Aclarion's Nociscan AI technology to explore the connection between Modic changes (MC) and chronic low back pain (cLBP). Conducted by the REACH Center at UCSF, the research involved 88 patients with persistent low back pain, focusing on the levels of intradiscal propionic acid (PA) near vertebral endplates with MC. This study challenges previous assumptions about the sterility of the disc environment and suggests PA levels could be key to understanding treatment responsiveness in cLBP patients.
Modic changes, identified through MRI, are linked to endplate damage and chronic pain, making them a critical focus in spinal health research. Dr. Aaron Fields from UCSF highlighted the study's aim to elucidate the biopsychosocial mechanisms behind cLBP. The team employed Aclarion's Nociscan, a non-invasive MR Spectroscopy (MRS) based SaaS platform, to assess disc tissue. Nociscan stands out as the first platform to differentiate between painful and nonpainful discs using chemical biomarkers and proprietary algorithms.
The implications of this research are vast, with 266 million individuals globally affected by spinal degeneration and low back pain. The non-invasive measurement of PA in discs exhibiting Modic changes could revolutionize treatment strategies, potentially introducing antibiotics as a primary treatment for cLBP patients with elevated PA levels. Ryan Bond of Aclarion sees Nociscan as a pivotal tool for enhancing patient care through precise, non-invasive diagnostics.
This study marks a significant advancement in comprehending cLBP and Modic changes, with AI technologies like Nociscan offering new avenues for diagnosis and treatment. The potential for personalized medicine in spine care could significantly alleviate the worldwide impact of low back pain, heralding a new era in pain management and orthopedics.
