A groundbreaking study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has revealed a new mechanism by which paracetamol (Tylenol, Panadol) relieves pain. The research, published in the journal PNAS, shows that the common painkiller not only works in the brain but also in the peripheral nerves that detect pain.
After taking paracetamol, the body produces a compound called AM404 directly in pain-sensing nerve endings. This compound blocks sodium channels responsible for transmitting pain signals, stopping them before they reach the brain. The study’s findings rewrite our understanding of how paracetamol works and could lead to more targeted, side-effect-free pain relief in the future.
The discovery centers on AM404, which targets specific channels (sodium channels) that help transmit pain signals. By blocking these channels, AM404 prevents the pain message from being sent to the brain. This new mechanism challenges the long-held belief that paracetamol only works in the brain and spinal cord.
The breakthrough could lead to safer, more precise alternatives to current local anesthetics. Researchers believe that developing new drugs based on AM404 could result in highly effective pain treatments with fewer side effects. “If we can develop new drugs based on AM404, we might finally have pain treatments that are highly effective but also safer and more precise,” said Prof. Avi Priel from the School of Pharmacy.
The study’s lead author, Prof. Alexander Binshtok, noted that this discovery changes our understanding of how paracetamol fights pain and opens up new avenues for research. The findings have significant implications for the development of new painkillers and could potentially improve treatment options for millions of people worldwide.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/acetaminophen-pain-neurology-29243