No-pain gene discovered
HOW IT HURTS Rare mutations in the gene PRDM12 prevent proper development of pain-sensing fibers that carry pain signals from the skin to the brain, rendering people impervious to pain, a new study suggests.
EMail
Print
Twitter
Facebook
Reddit
Google+
E. OTWELL
Mutations in a previously unscrutinized gene can leave people dangerously indifferent to harm,researchers report May 25 in Nature Genetics.
Certain changes to this gene, PRDM12, rob people of the ability to feel pain, leading to unintentional injuries such as scarred tongues, scratched corneas and missing digits. A deeper understanding of how pain is blocked in these rare cases could ultimately lead to better treatments for people who suffer from pain.
Certain changes to this gene, PRDM12, rob people of the ability to feel pain, leading to unintentional injuries such as scarred tongues, scratched corneas and missing digits. A deeper understanding of how pain is blocked in these rare cases could ultimately lead to better treatments for people who suffer from pain.
No comments:
Post a Comment