Genetic predictors of responsiveness to pain intervention
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does the Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Val66Met gene polymorphism predict inter-individual variation in responsiveness following lumbar radiofrequency denervation? A single-centre, prospective, exploratory study in subjects diagnosed with zygapophysial joint pain.
IRAS ID
166187
Contact name
KAREN IGNATION
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
We have designed this exploratory study in patients suffering from zygapophysial joint mediated pain to investigate if a correlation exists between inter-individual genetic variability (genotype) with treatment response (phenotype). More specifically, we aim to identify any form of correlation between a specific SNP of the BDNF gene (Val66Met) and the effectiveness and/or duration of radiofrequency facet joint neurotomy. The study population is patients suffering from chronic low back pain who have been scheduled for radiofrequency neurotomy following the diagnosis of facet joint mediated pain (using medial branch block test). We will evaluate if a common variant of BDNF gene (Val66Met) can be directly correlated to a significant degree of pain relief following RF treatment, and whether the result of such a procedure can be predicted from a specific genetic profile.
REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/2112
Date of REC Opinion
30 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion