Researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine and the Burke Neurological Institute have made an exciting discovery that could help millions of people who suffer from long-term nerve pain.
This type of pain, called chronic nerve pain or neuropathic pain, is caused by damage to nerves outside the brain and spine. It can be very uncomfortable and hard to treat.
In the past, doctors used drugs like gabapentin and duloxetine to treat this kind of pain. These drugs are usually used for other conditions like epilepsy or depression but can also help some people with nerve pain.
However, these medications often don’t work well enough and may cause unwanted side effects. Opioids, which are strong painkillers, can help too, but they come with serious risks, including addiction and overdose.
Now, a new drug called BP4L-18:1:1 may change the way nerve pain is treated. This new drug works by calming the overactive nerve cells that cause pain.
The lead researcher, Dr. Gareth Tibbs, created this drug by changing an existing anesthetic called propofol. He added a special chemical part called an “anchor” that helps the drug find and treat only the damaged nerve cells. This means it doesn’t affect the brain and is less likely to cause side effects.
Dr. Tibbs compared the anchor to a boat anchor—it helps keep the drug focused exactly where it needs to be, like a boat staying in one place on water. This targeted approach helps the active part of the drug work only on the nerves that are causing pain.
Early tests on rats showed that BP4L-18:1:1 can lower pain effectively. Even better, it can be taken by mouth, which makes it easy and comfortable for patients to use.
Dr. Steven Fox, who started a company called Akelos that works on new ways to treat pain, is very hopeful about this new drug. He believes it can stop nerve pain at its source without causing serious side effects. If that happens, it could be a big change in how we treat pain.
The research is supported by the Daedalus Fund for Innovation, which helps new medical ideas grow into real treatments that can be used by doctors and patients. The next step is to test the drug in people during clinical trials.
If these trials go well, BP4L-18:1:1 could give people with chronic nerve pain a new, safer, and more effective way to manage their condition. This discovery shows how important new research is in improving health care and gives hope to those who haven’t found relief with other treatments.
If you care about pain, please read studies about Chronic morphine use for cancer pain may increase bone loss and findings of Scientists find a new hope for chronic pain.
For more about pain, please read studies about What you need to know about diabetes and joint pain and findings of Understanding the connection between liver disease and joint pain.
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