Scientists have found new genetic risk factors for spinal stenosis

An international team of scientists led by specialists from the University of Oulu has identified 73 previously unknown genetic regions associated with the risk of developing lumbar spine stenosis. The study has become one of the largest genetic analyses of this disease. The work was published in the journal Nature Communications.

Lumbar spine stenosis develops due to degenerative changes in which the spinal canal narrows and the nerves passing through it are compressed. A characteristic symptom is neurogenic intermittent claudication: pain, numbness or weakness in the legs when walking, forcing stops. In most cases, the disease is asymptomatic, but in some patients it significantly restricts mobility.

Scientists have analyzed the genetic and medical data of more than 780 thousand people. In addition to 73 new loci, 15 already known ones have been confirmed. The data of patients who underwent surgery for severe stenosis were analyzed separately: 32 more specific genetic regions were identified in them.

Many of the identified regions of the genome are associated with biological pathways that regulate the structure of the spine, degenerative processes, and the function of the nervous system. According to the authors, this helps explain why some people develop symptomatic stenosis, while others with similar age—related changes do not.

In the future, understanding the genetics of the disease can contribute to the development of targeted treatment methods and the identification of risk groups, as well as reduce the costs of the healthcare system.

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On May 14, Pavel Khoroshev, a neurologist, also advised office workers to do isometric gymnastics, which they can do without even getting up from their chairs. He recommended tensing the muscles of your arms and chest every 40 minutes, pressing your palms against each other, or doing resistance exercises. It is also useful to lift the body on a chair, resting your hands on the seat: this helps to relieve the spine.