Aclarion, Inc.'s Nociscan solution has enhanced understanding of Modic changes in patients with chronic low back pain, according to findings presented at the 50th International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine Annual Meeting 2024. The prospective study conducted by researchers at the REACH Center at UCSF involved 88 patients with low back pain lasting over three months, utilizing Nociscan technology to measure intradiscal propionic acid levels adjacent to vertebral endplates with Modic changes. Dr. Aaron Fields emphasized the importance of understanding biopsychosocial mechanisms of chronic low back pain, with results challenging the long-held belief that the disc environment is sterile.
The study suggests propionic acid levels could determine why some patients with Modic changes improve or respond to treatment while others do not. Aclarion's Nociscan solution represents the first evidence-supported SaaS platform to noninvasively assist physicians in distinguishing between painful and nonpainful discs in the lumbar spine. By objectively quantifying chemical biomarkers associated with disc pain, Nociscan provides critical insights into pain location when used with other diagnostic tools. This research gains significance considering spinal degeneration and low back pain affect 266 million people worldwide, with Modic changes emerging as an important area of study in recent years.
The ability to noninvasively diagnose disc infection associated with Modic changes could revolutionize treatment approaches. Ryan Bond, Chief Strategy Officer at Aclarion, highlighted the company's mission to provide physicians with new noninvasive information for better patient care decisions. The innovative use of Nociscan technology to identify biomarkers opens possibilities for personalized treatment plans aimed at improving patient outcomes. Study findings suggest potential future research directions, including treating chronic low back pain patients with high propionic acid levels with antibiotics as first-line treatment, potentially leading to improved clinical outcomes and more targeted therapies.
As the medical community addresses chronic low back pain complexities, Aclarion's Nociscan technology represents a significant diagnostic advancement. By providing objective data on chemical biomarkers associated with disc pain, it enables physicians to make more informed care decisions and potentially develop more effective treatment strategies. The presentation at the ISSLS Annual Meeting underscores growing interest in advanced diagnostic tools for spinal conditions. As research progresses, technologies like Nociscan may play an increasingly important role in shaping chronic low back pain management and treatment. The company's technology demonstrates how biomarker identification can transform understanding of spinal conditions affecting millions globally.
