RESEARCH - Discovery of pain-causing compounds leads to development of new painkillers

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Discovery Of Pain-Causing Compounds Leads To Development Of New

Non-Addictive Painkillers

MedicalNewsToday.com

Article Date: 27 Apr 2010 - 0:00 PDT

A substance similar to capsaicin, which gives chili peppers their

heat, is generated at the site of pain in the human body. Scientists

at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San have

discovered how to block these capsaicin-like molecules and created a

new class of non-addictive painkillers.

The findings were published April 26 in the Journal of Clinical

Investigation. The senior investigator was Hargreaves, D.D.S.,

Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Endodontics in the

Dental School at the UT Health Science Center. Amol M. Patwardhan,

M.B.B.S., Ph.D., a graduate of the Health Science Center's Department

of Pharmacology who worked under Dr. Hargreaves' supervision, is the

lead author.

" Nearly everyone will experience persistent pain at some point in

their lifetime, " Dr. Hargreaves said. " Our findings are truly exciting

because they will offer physicians, dentists and patients more options

in prescription pain medications. In addition, they may help

circumvent the problem of addiction and dependency to pain

medications, and will have the potential to benefit millions of people

who suffer from chronic pain every day. "

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