Biology of Intervertebral Disc Aging and Degeneration

In Brief Study Design. A review of current knowledge and opinions concerning the biologic changes that take place during development, maturation and degeneration of the intervertebral disc. Objective. To provide an overview of the changes that occur in structure and composition of the extracellular matrix of the intervertebral disc and to explain the origin of such changes and their functional consequences. Summary of Background Data. The structure of the intervertebral disc, and, in particular, the composition of its extracellular matrix, changes throughout life, ultimately resulting in tissue degeneration in the adult. Methods. A review of the published scientific literature. Results. In the young disc, the…