Some neat new research published in PNAS (though not online yet) offers a unique way of attacking chronic pain: gene therapy via spinal tap.
In one experiment, the gene for the precursor to beta-endorphin was successfully introduced into rats' spinal cords, using a virus-- reducing chronic pain for three months. The researchers knew that the relief was indeed due to increased opioid activity because it could be blocked by an opioid blocker.
In another experiment, a gene for a non-opioid pain-relieving substance was similarly introduced. If this works in humans, it could offer new hope to chronic pain sufferers, many of whom currently have morphine pumps implanted in their spines. This way, their bodies could make their own drugs-- and not be vulnerable to doctors' fears of law enforcement when prescribing opioids or to the annoying need for refills!!!
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