DNA methylation and chronic low back pain
Epigenetic Drivers of Chronic Low Back Pain
This project looks at how DNA on/off switches (DNA methylation) change in people with long-term low back pain to find new ways to treat disc-related pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11181647 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You may be asked to provide disc tissue if you have surgery or to allow your clinical data and samples to be studied alongside lab work. Researchers will map DNA methylation patterns in degenerated intervertebral discs and compare them to healthier tissue. They will use laboratory experiments and animal models to test whether changing methylation alters gene activity that drives disc degeneration. The goal is to find molecular targets that could be used to develop new treatments for chronic discogenic low back pain.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with chronic low back pain thought to come from intervertebral disc degeneration, including patients undergoing spinal surgery who can donate disc tissue.
Not a fit: People with short-term (acute) back pain or pain clearly caused by non-disc problems (like fractures, infection, or cancer) are unlikely to benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that reduce or reverse disc degeneration and lower chronic low back pain by targeting DNA methylation.
How similar studies have performed: Early studies have found links between DNA methylation and chronic pain, but applying epigenetic targeting to treat disc degeneration is largely new and not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stone, Laura S — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Stone, Laura S
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.