A recent study presented at the 50th International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine (ISSLS) Annual Meeting 2024 has shed new light on the role of Modic changes in chronic low back pain, utilizing Aclarion's Nociscan AI technology. The research examined 88 patients suffering from low back pain for over three months, comparing intradiscal propionic acid levels adjacent to vertebral endplates with Modic changes. These MRI findings associated with endplate damage, neoinnervation, and chronic low back pain have become an important area of research in spinal health. The study's findings challenge the long-held belief that the disc environment is sterile and suggest that propionic acid levels may be useful in understanding why some patients with Modic changes improve or respond to treatment while others do not.
Dr. Aaron Fields, PhD, from the REACH Center at UCSF, emphasized the importance of clarifying the biopsychosocial mechanisms of chronic low back pain. The research team used various diagnostic tests, including Aclarion's Nociscan solution, to evaluate disc tissue non-invasively through MR Spectroscopy. Aclarion's Nociscan is the first evidence-supported SaaS platform that helps physicians distinguish between painful and nonpainful discs in the lumbar spine without invasive procedures. It quantifies chemical biomarkers associated with disc pain and uses proprietary algorithms to highlight potential pain sources. The global impact of this research is significant, considering that 266 million people worldwide suffer from spinal degeneration and low back pain.
The ability to noninvasively measure propionic acid levels in discs with Modic changes could lead to more personalized treatment approaches. For instance, future research may explore treating chronic low back pain patients with high propionic acid levels using antibiotics as a first-line treatment. Ryan Bond, Chief Strategy Officer at Aclarion, expressed enthusiasm about the potential of Nociscan technology to provide physicians with new, noninvasive information for better patient care decisions. The company's focus on identifying biomarkers could lead to more personalized treatment plans and improved patient outcomes. This research represents a step forward in understanding the complex nature of chronic low back pain and the role of Modic changes.
By leveraging advanced AI technology like Nociscan, healthcare providers may soon have more tools at their disposal to accurately diagnose and treat chronic low back pain, potentially reducing the global burden of this widespread condition. As the medical community continues to explore the implications of this study, it may pave the way for new diagnostic protocols and treatment strategies for chronic low back pain patients, particularly those with Modic changes. The integration of AI-driven biomarker analysis in spine care could mark a significant advancement in the field of pain management and orthopedics. The research findings are particularly important given the limitations of current diagnostic approaches and the need for more targeted interventions for this complex condition.
