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A study published in the scientific journal Nature Neuroscience by Yves De Koninck and Robert Bonin, two researchers at Université Laval, reveals that it is possible to relieve pain hypersensitivity using a new method that involves rekindling pain so that it can subsequently be erased. This discovery could lead to novel means to alleviate chronic pain.
The researchers from the Faculty of Medicine at Université Laval and Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec (IUSMQ) were inspired by previous work on memory conducted some fifteen years ago. These studies had revealed that when a memory is reactivated during recall, its neurochemical encoding is temporarily unlocked. Simultaneous administration of a drug that blocks neurochemical reconsolidation of the memory results in its erasure.
The investigators wanted to see whether a similar mechanism was at play during neurochemical encoding of pain sensitization. To this end, they injected capsaicin in the foot of mice. Capsaicin, the pungent chemical in chili pepper, triggers a burning sensation. The procedure, which causes no physical damage, triggers pain hypersensitivity through a process of protein synthesis in the spinal cord. After capsaicin injections, the mechanical pressure at which mice would flinch was about a third of that in the normal situation.
Three hours later, the researchers administered a second dose of capsaicin and, at the same time, a drug that blocks protein synthesis. The hypersensitivity then vanished rapidly. Within less than 2 hours, the pressure tolerated by the mice was back to 70% of normal.
originally posted by: bobs_uruncle
a reply to: knoledgeispower
I am always on the lookout for information like this, S&F! After fractured bones, a gunshot wound, herniated discs, bone spurring, Ankylosing Spondylitis (degenerative bone disease) and 5 dislocated vertebrae. I need all the help I can get as I am resistant to narcotics like demorol, morphine, oxycot, percs, ***liums, etc., even some anesthetics. I get migraines as well but fortunately (or not), they are almost always purely visual, the optical distortion kind and I have about 10 minutes of warning before I can't see. I feel for you though, my mother has full blown visual and pain migraines and I know how debilitating that can be (from an observer's perspective).
I'll have to find out if my doctor can get hold of this "Capsaicin" and see if I can run some trials on myself. Done that kind of thing before on my own and I'd do it again because there is not a lot that's worse than operating in a pain amplifier.
Cheers - Dave
originally posted by: Fylgje
This is great news in one way, but terrible in another; Someone who has serious lower back problems could do more damage to their backs by not being able to feel the signs when their body is telling them that something is too much. It will be interesting to see this tested on people with bad backs and severe chronic pain.
Simultaneous administration of a drug that blocks neurochemical reconsolidation of the memory results in its erasure.
originally posted by: cavtrooper7
Can dehydration over the long term mess with cerebral circulation? I too always pee brown ,I was raised in Albuquerque until 11 and got used to NOT drinking water I only needed about a gallon a day during D Storm. I also retain water.
originally posted by: midicon
a reply to: knoledgeispower
I am a cluster headache sufferer...cheers for the kudos.
We are the warriors of pain.
I have all the kit...and the meds.
Still this new drug might offer something different.
Early days...
originally posted by: hebegbes
a reply to: knoledgeispower
I went through years of migraines, and also a short period, thankfully, of cluster headaches. I was on oxygen, too, and know what that man said that he wanted to end his own life. They are also known as "suicide headaches." It's absolutely indescribable. I finally went to a neurologist who put me on Topomax. While the Topomax did take the migraines away, it left me with hair loss and the hair in the front of my head looks like I've had chemo... it's all burned at the ends and it will not cut off. I'll trim it and it just stays the same, so I don't know what's up with that.
I also have degenerative disc disease and have chronic low and mid back pain. I went to an American Indian who makes her own pills for different things from plants she grows in her garden, and bought some pills she had for inflammation. She said sometimes she takes up to 6 a day, but after just one of her pills, my back pain has left me. For the first time this year I have been able to weed my garden, mow my lawn, and different tasks around the house that I have been unable to do for a long time. I swear by these pills, and they are all natural. The pills consist of 4 different plants, and every plant takes away inflammation. I guess just the combination did the trick for me. I agree with the poster, though, that said you have to be careful with back pain. If your pain is gone, you think you can do everything you did before, which may end up hurting you more.
Hope the Capsaicin works, though, for everyone. The Topomax is dreadful.