Osteoporosis drug found to block spinal disc damage in new study

Researchers found that a faulty collagen-related gene triggers a chain reaction causing spinal discs to harden, mineralise and fuse — mirroring human degenerative disc disease. Zebrafish carrying the defective gene developed the same structural damage. Scientists reduced the deterioration using an existing osteoporosis drug and by targeting fat metabolism, pointing to promising new avenues for treating chronic back pain.