Scientists Eliminate Chronic Pain in Mice and Primates Using Gene Therapy

Researchers at the University of California San Diego used a new gene therapy technique to reduce the pain caused by nerve injuries in mice.

There are untold numbers of patients who experience chronic pain, numbness or weak muscles as a result of spine injuries, and this research could lead to new treatment options.

Drugs can lead to side effects when used to treat nerve damage. Opioids can lead to addiction issues, and these drugs have to be administered continuously.

Thanks to scientific advances in the field of pain, researchers have been able to hone in on the origin of neuropathic pain, opening doors to a new generation of post-opioid treatments.

Martin Marsala, senior author of a new paper about the research published in, said that one of the prerequisites of a clinically acceptable antinociceptive therapy is minimal or no side effects.

A single treatment invention that provides long- lasting therapeutic effect is also desirable.

The team injected a gene-modifying virus into mice which were experiencing pain due to damage to the sciatic nerve, a large nerve at the base of the spine that is often associated with back pain in humans.

Two naturally occurring genes, called GAD65 and VGAT, were found in the virus. The chemical seemed to have an effect on the pain-signaling neurons in the mice.

The results were promising, as the mice experienced a significant reduction in pain associated with their nerve damage for at least 2.5 months. They did not experience any side effects such as a decrease in motor performance or loss of thermal sensation for up to 13 months.

The same treatment led to no side effects in pigs and non-human primate between two and 13 months after treatment.

It sounds intriguing for people who live with chronic pain. The researchers have a lot of scientific and regulatory work to do before the technique could be used for humans.

The University of California has successfully treated spine injuries with Gene Therapy.

A single Gene could help bring an end to chronic pain.