Skip to main content

New Genetic Regions

Researchers find 41 new genetic regions linked to disc herniations


Lumbar disc herniation is one of the most common structural changes in the lower back and the most common cause of radiating pain, or sciatica, in the leg.

Hereditary risk factors for disc herniations were investigated in a recently published international study led by a University of Oulu research group, utilizing data from FinnGen, the Estonian Biobank, and the UK Biobank. The study analyzed the genetic and health data of 829,699 participants.

The study found 41 novel regions of the genome that modify the disease risk for disc herniations, in addition to the previously identified 23 regions. In the study, numerous genomic regions potentially affecting the structure of the discs and inflammatory factors were found.

In addition to these, the study identified new associations near genes related to the nervous system and nerve function. Findings related to the functioning of the nervous system have increased our understanding of the connection between symptomatic disc herniations and radiating pain.

The study also analyzed disc herniation patients who required surgical treatment. A total of five novel genomic regions were found to be associated with the more severe disc herniations which require surgery.

"This kind of analysis is possible thanks to the very good and extensive Finnish health registers, which allow us to study the mechanisms of disease in a very versatile manner," continues Salo.

The researchers emphasize that the study also produced a lot of data and results that can be used in future studies. "We hope that our findings and datasets can be used to develop medical and preventive solutions in the future. This could open up possibilities, for example, in the development of pain management methods for disc herniation patients suffering from radiating pain, and thereby improving their quality of life," states the specialist in physiatry, docent Juhani Määttä, who participated in the research. "Such advances would naturally also have broader social effects in addition to individual benefits, such as a decrease in direct healthcare costs and indirect financial costs, for example, lost income," states the leader of the study, Professor Johannes Kettunen.

Lumbar disc herniation is one of the most common structural changes in the lower back and it is also the most common cause for radiating pain, so-called sciatica. Radiating pain is caused by nerve irritation, which occurs due to the narrowing of the nerve caused by the disc herniation and especially by the increase of inflammatory factors in the area of the herniation. Herniations are quite common even in asymptomatic people, with frequency increasing with age, and cause symptoms for some only when they irritate the nerve. The factors related to the development of disc herniation are relatively well known, but the investigation of their hereditary background has received less attention.

genetic regions, disc herniation, spinal health, risk factors, back pain, nerve compression, inflammatory response, genetic markers, spinal degeneration, personalized treatment, early diagnosis, sciatica, lower back pain, extracellular matrix, cartilage integrity, regenerative medicine, risk assessment, family history, preventive strategies, physical activity guidelines.

#GeneticDiscovery #DiscHerniation #SpinalHealth #BackPainResearch #HerniatedDisc #NerveCompression #InflammationMarkers #SpinalDegeneration #PrecisionMedicine #PainRelief #SciaticaCare #ChronicPain #ExtracellularMatrix #CartilageHealth #RegenMedicine #RiskFactors #GeneticScreening #SpineResearch #PreventiveHealth #SpineWellness

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Genetics role in ovarian cancer

The Medical Minute: Genetics play big role in ovarian cancer In 2024, about 19,680 women in the United States will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer and 12,740 women will die from the disease, said Dr. Shaina Bruce , a gynecologic oncologist at Penn State Cancer Institute . The median age of all patients who develop ovarian cancer is 63. Historically, women at increased risk for ovarian cancer are recommended to have their fallopian tubes and ovaries removed when they have completed having children. Taking that step to protect themselves comes at a heavy price ― surgical menopause. But Bruce said medical science is catching up with ovarian cancer. Studies could lead to new methods for preventative care and the surgery needed to lower risk may be easier than it once was. Below, during Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, Bruce discusses the disease and why acting to reduce your risk is worth it. What’s the connection between heredity and ovarian cancer? About 25% of all cases of ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Migration in Population Genetics

  Migration in Population Genetics Migration in population genetics refers to the movement of individuals-and therefore their genes -between different populations of the same species. This gene flow alters allele frequencies, increasing genetic diversity within populations while reducing genetic differences between them. Migration can counteract the effects of genetic drift and inbreeding , introduce new alleles , and influence evolutionary processes such as adaptation and natural selection. The rate, direction, and scale of migration play a crucial role in shaping population structure, evolutionary potential, and long-term species survival, especially in fragmented habitats or changing environments. Migration, Population Genetics, Gene Flow, Allele Frequency, Genetic Diversity, Evolution, Genetic Variation, Population Structure, Adaptation, Biodiversity #PopulationGenetics #Migration #GeneFlow #GeneticDiversity #EvolutionaryBiology #AlleleFrequency #NaturalSelection #GeneticD...
Post a Comment
Read more

Chromosomal Abnormalities

  Chromosomal Abnormalities Chromosome abnormalities refer to structural or numerical changes in chromosomes that can disrupt normal genetic function, leading to developmental disorders, congenital abnormalities, and various genetic diseases. These abnormalities may arise from errors in cell division, such as nondisjunction or chromosomal breakage, resulting in conditions like Down syndrome , Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome , and various deletion or duplication syndromes. Understanding chromosome abnormalities is essential for genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, disease risk assessment, and research in cytogenetics and molecular genetics. Chromosome abnormalities, chromosomal disorders, chromosomal mutations, aneuploidy, structural chromosome abnormalities, nondisjunction, deletion syndrome, duplication syndrome , translocation, inversion, cytogenetics, karyotyping, prenatal diagnosis , genetic testing, genomic instability, Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syn...
Post a Comment
Read more