Ganesh Swamy

Scoliosis occurs in adolescents (Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis -AIS) and in adults (degenerative Scoliosis (dScoli)), and the etiology is unknown. While a mechanical hypothesis exists for both AIS and dScoli, the predominantly female prevalence (~90% for both) remains underexplored. In addition, approximately 70-75% of patients with degenerative Spondylolisthesis (dSpondy) and 90% of dScoli patients are women.

There are some suggestions of sex hormone involvement, but the basic molecular mechanisms are unknown. dScoli/dSpondy also occur around the time of menopause, which further raises sex hormone involvement. The central tenet of our investigations is to understand why some females are predisposed to this problem. We feel that there should be a mechanical difference in the intervertebral disc (IVD).

We use the following techniques in the investigation:

• Tissue banking
• Shear static and dynamic biomechanics of intervertebral disc samples
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
• Histopathology and Immunohistochemistry
• Epigenetic analysis of serum

Sciatica is a common clinical condition in which patients often present with severe work / life altering pain.  Prevalence estimates vary widely by the method of identification, ranging from 1% to 43%.There is no question that the ‘slipped disc’ is a widespread clinical problem in our society.

While most patients improve spontaneously (~75% improve by 12 weeks), many do not. These patients suffer tremendous pain, disability and lost productivity.

This project seeks to capitalize on world-class, Alberta-based expertise in serum biomarker detection and proteomics, and acknowledged expertise in complex statistical methods. If successful, we hope to have a predictive test for the spontaneous resolution of sciatica, which would have very large effects on the treatment of this very common condition