GM Mice Can't Feel Pain: The Secret to Ending Chronic Pain

Genetically modified mice may reveal the secret to a painless life. Researchers have recreated mice that have the same mutation that allows people to be unable to feel pain.

"Channels" that allow messages to pass along nerve cell membranes are vital for electrical signaling in the nervous system. In 2006, it was show that sodium channel Nav1.7 is particularly important for signaling in pain pathways. People born with non-functioning Nav1.7 do not feel pain, but drugs that have been developed that block Nav1.7 have been surprisingly weak.

In this latest study, the researchers looked at whether or not opioids were important for painlessness. They gave naloxone, an opioid blocker, to mice lacking Nav1.7 and found that they began to be able to feel pain. They then gave naloxone to a 39-year-old woman with the rare mutation and she felt pain for the first time in her life.

"Used in combination with Nav1.7 blockers, the dose of opioid needed to prevent pain is very low," said John Wood, one of the researchers, in a news release. "People with non-functioning Nav1.7 produce low levels of opioids throughout their lives without developing tolerance or experiencing unpleasant side-effects. We hope to see our approach tested in human trials by 2017 and we can then start looking into drug combinations to help the millions of chronic pain patients around the world."

The findings reveal a bit more about pain in people. In addition, they show a possible way to help those dealing with chronic pain.

The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.

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