Neck, back pain related to gene activity setting off breakdown of spinal discs: Zebrafish study
NEW DELHI: (Aug 19) New research in zebrafish suggests neck and back pain could be a result of changes in gene activity triggering a breakdown of the spine’s natural shock absorbers — the spinal discs.
Findings published in the journal Communications Biology show that the changes in gene activity can lead to a build-up of minerals in the spine — similar to unwanted bone forming in the wrong place — causing it to harden.
Researchers from the universities of Edinburgh and Bristol in the UK said the findings point to potential future drug targets to treat back pain and suggest zebrafish could be a valuable tool for testing them.
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