Scientists have made a groundbreaking breakthrough by recreating the brain circuit responsible for transmitting feelings of pain in a lab dish. The achievement, led by Stanford University researchers, holds immense potential for developing better treatments for chronic pain and neurological conditions.
According to Sergiu Pasca, the study’s lead researcher, the team has successfully modeled the pain pathway non-invasively using miniaturized systems made from lab-grown human cells. These “sensory assembloids” can now be used to test painkillers, study nerve injuries, and even create personalized treatments for patients.
The research has far-reaching implications, with chronic pain affecting over 116 million Americans, or nearly one in three people in the US. This breakthrough could help alleviate the suffering of those struggling with chronic pain by providing new avenues for treatment and understanding.
Dr. Vivianne Tawfik, an expert in pain medicine, expressed her hopes that this research will lead to better patient outcomes. “Pain is a huge health problem,” she said. “I’m sad when we’ve tried everything and there’s nothing left.” The study was published in the journal Nature on April 9.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/brain-circuit-pain-lab-stanford-b2730939.html