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What causes chronic pain? New study identifies key culprit in the brain

Researchers have discovered a neural circuit hidden in an understudied region of the brain plays a critical role in turning temporary pain into chronic pain. Silencing this pathway can prevent or halt chronic pain, offering new hope for treating severe chronic pain with injections or infusions targeting specific brain cells.

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How does the brain differentiate painful from non-painful touch?

Salk scientists pinpoint gracile nucleus as brain area responsible for differentiating between painful and non-painful touch, with dysfunction leading to chronic pain. Altered neuronal activity in the dorsal column nuclei drives mechanical allodynia, causing the brain to misinterpret innocuous light touch as painful.

High-fat diet can provoke pain sensitivity without obesity, diabetes

A new study in mice suggests that a short-term high-fat diet can induce hyperalgesic priming and allodynia, even in the absence of injury or preexisting conditions like obesity or diabetes. Researchers found that palmitic acid, a type of saturated fatty acid, binds to nerve cells, causing inflammation and mimicking injury to neurons.

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Predictors of chronic migraine

A recent meta-analysis published in Cephalalgia highlights the predictors of chronic migraine, including depression, which increases the risk by 58%, and high-frequency attacks, which raises a permanent debate surrounding the diagnostic criteria. The study also found medication overuse to increase the odds of developing chronic migrain...

Scientists get in touch with the biology underlying pain

Researchers discovered that activating Piezo2-expressing neurons induces painful sensations in mice and that rodents deficient in Piezo2 do not register pain in response to soft touches. Blocking Piezo2 function may prevent allodynia without affecting normal pain responses.

PIEZO2, a molecular target for treating clinical pain

Researchers at Scripps Research have identified the molecule PIEZO2 as responsible for tactile allodynia, a condition characterized by pain from gentle touch. The study provides validation that targeting PIEZO2 could be beneficial in treating this common form of chronic pain.

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Study identifies gene that makes gentle touch feel painful after injury

Researchers identified PIEZO2 as a gene controlling tactile allodynia, a form of pain caused by gentle touch after injury. The study found that PIEZO2 plays an essential role in the nervous system's reaction to injury and inflammation, making it a target for developing precise treatments for relieving painful skin injuries.

Genetic study paves way for new neuropathic pain treatments

A recent study has identified distinct cellular origins for different symptoms of neuropathic pain, paving the way for targeted treatments. The research found that cold allodynia is exclusively neuronal in nature, while tactile allodynia involves complex interactions between the immune system and nervous system.

Common migraine pain condition also prevalent in cluster headache

Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that half of patients with cluster headaches experience cutaneous allodynia, a common migraine pain condition. This discovery suggests overlap in mechanisms for pain between migraines and cluster headaches, potentially leading to new treatment implications.