Understanding how aging and inflammation affect disc health and back pain
Official title: Deciphering Disc Degeneration: Untangling the Roles of Age and Inflammation
Funded at University of Miami Coral Gables · NIH-11415680 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at why spinal discs lose their lubricating molecules as people age or during inflammation, and what that means for back pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami Coral Gables NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $587,023 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR085137-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415680 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with back pain related to disc degeneration or aging processes who are able to participate in biomarker or imaging studies associated with disc health.
✕Less likely to help
People without disc degeneration or back pain or those unable to participate in biomarker/imaging studies may not benefit.
What this research studies
If this research succeeds, it will explore how aging and inflammation change the way disc cells make key molecules needed for healthy discs. The study focuses on how sugar-building blocks and energy use in disc cells influence the production of proteoglycans, which help the disc stay hydrated and resilient. By using AI to model these processes, the team hopes to identify targets to preserve or restore disc health and potentially reduce pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Potentially new strategies to prevent or reduce degeneration-related back pain by supporting disc molecule production.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier work shows links between inflammation, aging, and disc degradation, but this project seeks to map how glycolysis and proteoglycan production interact, which is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami Coral Gables
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Chun-Yuh — University of Miami Coral Gables
- Study coordinator: Huang, Chun-Yuh
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.