Understanding how fat infiltration in back muscles affects chronic low back pain
Official title: Mechanistic structure-function relationships for paraspinal muscle fat infiltration in chronic low back pain patients
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11061362 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how fat buildup in the muscles around the spine might be linked to chronic low back pain, and it's for people who experience this kind of pain to help find better treatment options just for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $319,770 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR081324-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061362 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from chronic low back pain, particularly those with suspected muscle degeneration.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without chronic low back pain or those with acute back injuries may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between fat infiltration in paraspinal muscles and chronic low back pain (cLBP). By using advanced MRI techniques, the study aims to identify patterns of fat infiltration and how they correlate with muscle function and patient-specific movements. The goal is to better understand the underlying mechanisms of cLBP, which could lead to more effective treatment options tailored to individual patients. Participants will undergo imaging and assessments to gather data on their condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for chronic low back pain by identifying specific muscle dysfunctions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding muscle degeneration and its impact on back pain, but this specific approach using fat infiltration patterns is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bailey, Jeannie Fern — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Bailey, Jeannie Fern
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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.