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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Electrophysiological Methods to Assess Peripheral Pain Block in an Anesthetized Rat
Published on: November 21, 2025
Voltage-gated sodium channel blockers for the treatment of chronic pain
Mark A Matulenko1, Marc J C Scanio, Michael E Kort
1Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abbott Laboratories, 100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6100, USA.
Abstract:
The voltage-gated sodium channels are a family of proteins that control the flow of sodium ions across cell membranes. Considerable data support the hypothesis that hyperexcitability and spontaneous action potential firing in peripheral sensory neurons mediated by voltage-gated sodium channels contribute to the pathophysiology of chronic pain. Sodium channel blockers are, therefore, appealing entities for therapeutic intervention in painful human neuropathies. This review will focus on the latest advances in the development of small molecule sodium channel blockers and their application to the treatment of chronic pain.
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