A team of stem cell researchers, led by Mick Bhatia, director of the McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, have discovered that they can convert adult human blood cells into adult sensory neurons. In other words, they developed a way to take blood samples and turn them into central nervous system and peripheral nervous system neurons. The central nervous system (CNS) is the part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord. It integrates information it receives from, and coordinates and influences the activity of, all parts of the body and it contains the majority of the nervous system.The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is the part of the nervous system that consists of the nerves and ganglia outside of the brain and
Tag: pain management
Brief Opioid Therapy May Eliminate Chronic Pain
According to team leaders, Ruth Drdla-Schutting and Jürgen Sandkühler along with their research team at the MedUni Vienna’s Department of Neurophysiology (Centre for Brain Research); opioids can be used for more than temporary pain relief. Apparently, a strong enough dose can actually erase our memory traces of pain in the spinal cord.At the most basic level, opioids bind to specific sites, called µ-opiate receptors (MOR), which suppresses the stimulation of pain. Characteristically, opioids are only known to alleviate pain while bound to these sites, therefore once treatment is ceased, pain resumes. Typically, for chronic pain, opioids are administered continuously in moderate doses in order to achieve a permanent binding. This method may result in pain relief, however the treatment is long-term and the
Non-Habit Forming Painkiller May Soon Hit The Market
Researchers at Stony Brook University have developed a powerful new painkiller that is said to possess no apparent side effects or addictive qualities could be available for purchase within the next year or two. At present, this miracle drug is in Phase II clinical trials in England and Canada.A painkiller or analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain. The term analgesic is derived from Greek “an”, meaning without, and “algos”, meaning pain. These drugs include paracetamol (better known as acetaminophen), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and opioids such as morphine and opium. Commonly prescribed painkillers include OxyContin, Vicodin, Methadone, Darvocet, Lortab, Lorcet and Percocet, all of which cause dependence.During the ‘90s, Dr. Simon Halegoua, Professor of Neurobiology