Targeting HCN Channels To Block Nerve Pain

Today's short post from diabetes.co.uk (see link below) is reproduced in various forms across the internet at the moment but as so often, is virtually incomprehensible to the lay reader without scientific background knowledge. Basically, it's outlining potential new methods of treating neuropathic pain by examining the role of molecular mechanisms in the parts of the brain that normally deal with pain signals. It's been found that by blocking one particular type of channel (HCN), significant relief from nerve problems can be achieved. The problem is that studies so far have only been conducted on lab rodents and they're nowhere near testing for viable and safe similar results in humans. Nevertheless, if you've been following new neuropathy developments over the last few years, it's obvious that progress is being made at a molecular level and there's a much greater understanding of how pain signals are processed by the brain. This has to be enough to reassure us that serious efforts are being made to find solutions to neuropathy pain but wouldn't we just love one of these scientists to write an article in terms that everyone can understand!

Researchers target molecular mechanisms that could relieve pain from peripheral neuropathy
Kurt Wood Tue, 13 Oct 2015

Researchers target molecular mechanisms that could relieve pain from peripheral neuropathy

A group of researchers have found molecular mechanisms that could be responsible for the pain caused by peripheral neuropathy.

The study, conducted by researchers at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, sheds new light on what was a poorly understood condition.

Peripheral neuropathy is the scientific term for nerve damage. Neuropathy can have a number of causes, including diabetes. In fact, diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy is caused by prolonged exposure to high blood glucose levels over a number of years.
Neuropathy, pain and the anterior cingulate cortex This study focused on the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the region of the brain most commonly and consistently involved in the pain processing. The researchers made new discoveries about one type of channel (hyperpolarisation-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels, or HCN) that influences pain signals to the ACC.

They then tested their findings on a group of rats. By blocking HCN channels, the researchers lessened the stimulation of the ACC, which significantly reduced the pain transmitted to the rats.

The researchers hope that targeting the HCN channels will reduce the pain of neuropathy in humans, but further studies are needed to confirm that this is viable and safe.

"Our study has revealed one important mechanism linking chronic pain to abnormal activity of the ACC and it provides a cellular and molecular explanation for the overstimulation of neurons in the prefrontal cortex," said senior author Philippe Séguéla.

"This gives us new perspectives on therapeutic strategies that could target the HCN channels to help relieve chronic pain.

"Our findings open new doors to research possible treatment of these debilitating symptoms that are linked to chronic pain."

The findings were published in the Journal of Neuroscience.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2015/oct/researchers-target-molecular-mechanisms-that-could-relieve-pain-from-peripheral-neuropathy-90193351.html