# Mechanical Biomarkers of Chronic Low Back Pain

> **NIH NIH R01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $616,785

## Abstract

Abstract
The intervertebral disc (IVD) has an essential role in transferring load during normal spine function and when
this normal function fails, symptoms, degeneration and altered spine mechanics may occur. The overall
scientific premise of this work is that there is a gap in knowledge of the relationship between contributions from
mechanical, inflammatory and biopsychosocial factors that lead to chronic low back pain (LBP). An important
gap is a poor understanding of the relationship between IVD degeneration and LBP. This lack of understanding
leads to discordance between imaging and self-reported pain and, ultimately, treatments being delivered by an
exclusionary process. To address this gap, we will use innovative in vivo imaging tools to quantify the
mechanical function of the IVD. We will also measure quantitative sensory factors, biochemical markers, and
biopsychosocial factors that, when combined with mechanical function, may better identify subgroups or
phenotypes of LBP. The overall goal of this project is to identify if mechanical function of the IVD is a potential
risk factor and whether mechanical function can assist with defining phenotypes of LBP. The findings from this
study would lead to longitudinal analyses to determine whether these phenotypes predict the transition from
acute to chronic LBP. The rationale for this proposed research is that: 1) altered mechanical function of the IVD
contributes to LBP. 2) LBP is a heterogeneous condition that can result from a combination of mechanical,
inflammatory, and central pain based sources. The central hypothesis is that in vivo measured IVD mechanical
function will be an important potential risk factor for both acute and chronic non-specific LBP and that this
measure will improve the phenotyping of LBP. In Aim I, we will quantify the association between in-vivo
measured IVD mechanical function among acute and chronic non-specific LBP participants and asymptomatic
controls. In Aim II, we will derive well-defined phenotypes of LBP using combinations of potential risk factors.
Identifying phenotypes of LBP will allow for specific rehabilitation, surgical, pharmaceutical or behavioral
treatments to be targeted, resulting in improved patient outcomes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10440260
- **Project number:** 5R01AR075399-04
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Louis E. DeFrate
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $616,785
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-22 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10440260

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10440260, Mechanical Biomarkers of Chronic Low Back Pain (5R01AR075399-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10440260. Licensed CC0.

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