Transcriptomic decoding of dynamic brain activity alterations in chronic non-specific low back pain

This study investigates the dynamic alterations in brain activity associated with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) and their relationship with regional gene expression profiles. Using resting-state functional MRI and a hidden Markov model, the authors identified distinct neural activity patterns in CNLBP patients compared to healthy controls, revealing significant changes in brain dynamics and their correlation with gene expression linked to nociceptive and inflammatory pathways. The findings enhance the understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying CNLBP and suggest a connection between altered brain activity and genetic factors.