After years of bumps, bruises and breaks, researchers have found the gene that turns these unfortunate accidents into painful sensations.
In the study conducted by the University of Toronto, The Hospital for Sick Children and The Amgen Institute, genetically engineered mice lacking a specific gene, named DREAM, showed a dramatic loss of pain sensitivity as compared to normal mice.
\This is an exciting development,"" said study co-author Michael Salter, director of the University of Toronto Centre for the Study of Pain. ""There's a great interest in this finding because it's so different from the traditional approaches researchers have been taking to pain management.""
The DREAM gene, when active, prevents the production of a protein. This protein aids in transmitting and controlling pain messages.
When the DREAM gene was completely removed from the mice, production of the the protein involved in pain transmission was increased, but the mice felt little pain.
This method may send pain relief research in a new direction. The gene-based method offers a chance to stop pain where it begins, as opposed to other medicines that simply try to lower the amount of pain felt by the injured party.
