Aclarion's Nociscan AI Sheds New Light on Modic Changes in Chronic Low Back Pain

A groundbreaking study presented at the 50th International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine (ISSLS) Annual Meeting 2024 in Milan, Italy, has revealed new insights into the complex relationship between Modic changes (MC) and chronic low back pain (cLBP). The research, which utilized Aclarion's Nociscan AI technology, may have significant implications for the diagnosis and treatment of cLBP, a condition affecting millions worldwide.

The study, conducted by researchers at the REACH Center at UCSF, focused on 88 patients suffering from low back pain for more than three months. By using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) and Aclarion's Nociscan solution, the team was able to non-invasively measure levels of propionic acid (PA) in intervertebral discs adjacent to vertebral endplates with MC.

Dr. Aaron Fields, lead researcher on the project, emphasized the importance of understanding the biopsychosocial mechanisms of chronic low back pain. "Our prospective study compared intradiscal propionic acid levels adjacent to vertebral endplates with MC. The results challenge the notion that the disc environment is sterile. Furthermore, PA levels may be useful for understanding why some patients with MC improve or respond to treatment while others do not," Dr. Fields explained.

This research is particularly significant given that 266 million people globally suffer from spinal degeneration and low back pain. Modic changes, which are irregularities in vertebral endplates visible on MRI, have become an important area of study in recent years. The ability to non-invasively measure PA levels using Nociscan technology could potentially help stratify patients with MC for more personalized treatment approaches.

Aclarion's Nociscan solution is the first evidence-supported SaaS platform to help physicians distinguish between painful and non-painful discs in the lumbar spine without invasive procedures. By objectively quantifying chemical biomarkers associated with disc pain, Nociscan provides critical insights that, when used in conjunction with other diagnostic tools, can help pinpoint the source of a patient's low back pain.

Ryan Bond, Chief Strategy Officer at Aclarion, expressed enthusiasm about the potential impact of this research. "It is rewarding to see clinicians recognizing the ability of Nociscan technology to identify biomarkers and thinking about how that information can potentially be used to provide personalized treatment plans aimed at improving patient outcomes," Bond stated.

The implications of this study could be far-reaching. By providing a non-invasive method to diagnose disc infections and stratify patients with Modic changes, healthcare providers may be able to develop more targeted treatment plans. For instance, future research might explore the efficacy of treating cLBP patients who have high levels of PA with antibiotics as a first line of treatment.

This advancement in understanding the relationship between Modic changes, propionic acid levels, and chronic low back pain represents a significant step forward in the field of spinal health. As more research is conducted and the technology continues to evolve, patients suffering from chronic low back pain may benefit from more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment strategies.

The use of AI-driven technologies like Nociscan in medical research and clinical practice highlights the growing importance of artificial intelligence in healthcare. By providing new tools for non-invasive diagnosis and treatment planning, such technologies have the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce the economic burden of chronic conditions like low back pain.

As the medical community continues to explore the complex factors contributing to chronic low back pain, studies like this one demonstrate the value of interdisciplinary approaches that combine advanced imaging techniques, biomarker analysis, and artificial intelligence. The insights gained from such research may ultimately lead to more effective, personalized treatments for the millions of people worldwide who suffer from this debilitating condition.