Scientists are rushing to discover alternative pain treatments as the opioids epidemic in the U.S. continues to be deadly.
Scientists have just taken a step closer to developing a high-strength painkiller that is not as addictive as opioids.
A stock photo shows a spilled bottle of pills. Scientists are trying to develop alternative pain treatments, that are less addictive than opioids.In mice, they identified an alternative signaling pathway in the brain that alleviates pain. This was the case even in animals that have a tolerance to the powerful drugs. When taken through this pathway, pain relief did not result in withdrawals.
The pathway, called the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray, serves as an"important crossroads of systems that control pain," the study reports. The neurotransmitter acetylcholine is involved in these circuits. When this neurotransmitter is targeted, it can change pain responses. McGehee and Sullere assessed acetylcholine and how it is released under different forms of pain.Acetylcholine receptors usually generate more activity in the nervous system. But when a drug was injected that targeted this receptor in mice, it relieved pain for several hours, the study reported.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Scientists achieve femtosecond laser fabrication of magnetic-responsive Janus origami robotsThe versatile manipulation of droplets across different scales holds significant promise in various fields, particularly in precision chemistry and biomedical diagnostics. From a practical standpoint, effective droplet manipulation techniques necessitate multi-functional integration and applicability across various scales.
Read more »
How scientists are cracking historical codes to reveal lost secretsDeciphering encrypted messages from centuries past is a painstaking process. But linguists and computer scientists are starting to automate it, with some sensational results
Read more »
Scientists Discover “Startling” Levels of Hidden Mental Health Symptoms Among Autoimmune Disease PatientsExperts urge immediate mental health assistance for patients with autoimmune diseases. Over 50% of patients with autoimmune disorders suffer from mental health issues like depression or anxiety. However, most of these patients are seldom, if ever, questioned about these symptoms in clinical setting
Read more »
Scientists discover nanofabrication of photonic crystals on buried ancient Roman glassSome 2,000 years ago in ancient Rome, glass vessels carrying wine or water, or perhaps an exotic perfumes, tumble from a table in a marketplace, and shatter to pieces on the street. As centuries passed, the fragments were covered by layers of dust and soil and exposed to a continuous cycle of changes in temperature, moisture, and surrounding minerals.
Read more »
Scientists baffled by golden orb found in Gulf of Alaska“I’m not even sure that that was the most interesting thing on that dive,” the expedition coordinator said.
Read more »
NASA seeks citizen scientists to capture April 2024 total solar eclipseIf you're in the path of totality, you can contribute to research about the sun.
Read more »