Often, the conditions are caused by the breakdown of discs, the load - bearing, donut - like structures that cushion the bones of the spine and are made mostly of a tissue called nucleus pulposus. (sciencedaily.com)
As scientists try to find early therapy options to fight degenerative disc disease, there has been considerable interest in harnessing stem cells to restore nucleus pulposus, or NP. (sciencedaily.com)