Can We Blame Our Genes for Chronic Pain?

The degree of pain a person feels is partially regulated by the firing rate of nerve cells in the affected area. It may be possible to reduce pain by blocking a gene that regulates the electrical signaling in the body. Scientists at the University of Cambridge tested two groups of mice.  Half were genetically engineered so that their pain responsive neurons lacked the HCM2 gene.  Those mice appeared to endure discomfort much longer than the normal mice.  Does this mean humans can also become less sensitive to chronic pain if a gene is silenced?  According to the study author Peter McNaughton its possible… in the future.  “The next challenge is to develop HCN2 blockers that could target pain-sensitive neurons in humans.”  Those drugs may become available in the next eight to ten years…. Psychology Today  February, 2012  Katherine Schreiber