this story is from September 10, 2011
Gene find may lead to pills that kill chronic pain
LONDON: Scientists have identified a gene responsible for regulating chronic pain, a finding they say could help develop more effective painkillers.
Researchers at the Cambridge University isolated a gene, called HCN2, which produces a protein that causes chronic neuropathic pain, which is linked to nerve damage and often very difficult to control.
The researchers said if drugs could be designed to block the protein produced by the HCN2 gene, they could effectively treat neuropathic pain, which affects an estimated 280 million people around the world.
Study leader Peter McNaughton said people suffering from neuropathic pain often have little or no respite because of the lack of effective medications.
“Our research lays the groundwork for the development of new drugs to treat chronic pain by blocking HCN2,” McNaughton was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.
Researchers at the Cambridge University isolated a gene, called HCN2, which produces a protein that causes chronic neuropathic pain, which is linked to nerve damage and often very difficult to control.
The researchers said if drugs could be designed to block the protein produced by the HCN2 gene, they could effectively treat neuropathic pain, which affects an estimated 280 million people around the world.
Study leader Peter McNaughton said people suffering from neuropathic pain often have little or no respite because of the lack of effective medications.
“Our research lays the groundwork for the development of new drugs to treat chronic pain by blocking HCN2,” McNaughton was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.
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