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Washington University researchers identify brain mechanism to curb chronic pain
Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a biological mechanism in the brain that could serve as a natural brake for chronic neuropathic pain. The study, published in ‘Current Biology’, focuses on the locus coeruleus, a small region in the brainstem that manages stress and alertness.
Using mouse models, the team discovered that specific receptors on the surface of nerve cells in this region act as biological brakes, dampening pain signals traveling up the spinal cord. While these receptors normally help regulate pain, nerve damage can cause the system to become hyperactive, leading to chronic pain.
This discovery offers a potential pathway for developing targeted therapies that address pain at its source in the brain. Such treatments could provide an alternative to traditional opioids, which affect the entire body and carry significant risks of side effects, tolerance, and addiction.
Entities
Current Biology · Jordan McCall · St. Louis · Washington University School of Medicine · locus coeruleus
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What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The study was conducted using mice to identify specific receptors on cell surfaces in the brain. www.lospecialegiornale.it · source.washu.edu · canaledieci.it · quotidianodibari.it
- [● 4 SOURCES] The identified receptors are located in the locus coeruleus, a region of the brainstem. www.lospecialegiornale.it · source.washu.edu · canaledieci.it · quotidianodibari.it
- [● 4 SOURCES] The research was published in the journal Current Biology. www.lospecialegiornale.it · source.washu.edu · canaledieci.it · quotidianodibari.it
- [● 4 SOURCES] These receptors can potentially be targeted to develop therapies for chronic neuropathic pain with fewer side effects than opioids. www.lospecialegiornale.it · source.washu.edu · canaledieci.it · quotidianodibari.it
- [● 4 SOURCES] Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine identified a biological mechanism in the brain that can act as a brake for chronic pain. www.lospecialegiornale.it · source.washu.edu · canaledieci.it · quotidianodibari.it