A 39-year old woman who was born not able to feel physical pain has been hurt for the first time. And she seemed to enjoy it.
CNBC reports that the 39-year old woman who suffers from a rare genetic disorder was treated with a drug called naloxone. This drug is used to treat heroin overdose. The scientists then burned her using a laser; letting her experience the first sensation that we are too familiar with.
Meanwhile, Independent UK reports that the woman, who wished to remain anonymous, quite enjoyed the mild, painful sensation of being heated by a laser. This is definitely a refreshing experience for someone who has not felt any pain since she was born.
Each year, some people are born with a genetic mutation that prevents an "ion channel" in the nerves that senses pain. More so, the babies born with blocked pain channels need special care and attention as they tend to chew their fingers, lips and toes not mindful if they bleed. The toddlers are also highly vulnerable to harming themselves by being knocked down or being in contact with hot or sharp objects.
The woman was reported to have inherited a mutation in a gene that blocked an ion channel called Nav1.7, which is responsible for carrying sodium ions and allows pain signals to the brain.
Similarly, laboratory mice that were genetically modified to lack the nav1.7 gene also manifested signs of not feeling any pain. Scientists then were able to create an animal model of the human condition. This paved the way to a new treatment for chronic pain.
John wood of University College London and his team found that both mice and people with the genetic mutation produce higher levels of the body's natural painkillers. The scientists then administered naloxone, an opioid blocker, and found that both mice and the woman were able to feel pain once more.
Several drugs have been developed to block the Nav1.7 nerve channels, but they prove to have a weak effect. With this experiment, the scientists hope to develop effective ways of treating long-term, chronic pain.
By mimicking the effects of blocking Nav1.7, which seems to produce low levels of the natural opioid painkillers, the scientists hope that this could be the proper way to address chronic pain.
