Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 27, 2025
10:37
Development of Recombinant Proteins to Treat Chronic Pain
Published on: April 11, 2018
9.6K
Epigenetics and Pain: New Insights to an Old Problem
Lisa Nirvanie-Persaud1, Richard M Millis2
1Department of Pathophysiology/Department of Medical Education, American University of Antigua, Coolidge, ATG.
Cureus
|September 26, 2022
Summary
Exploring the genetic and epigenetic factors influencing pain perception, this review highlights the need for evidence-based data to integrate these findings into clinical pain management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Pain Research
Background:
- Pain perception is influenced by psychological, social, and biological factors.
- While genetics and epigenetics of pain modulators are studied, clinical application is limited by insufficient evidence.
- Pain is a complex sensation involving physical discomfort and emotional distress, signaling potential tissue damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current literature on the genetic and epigenetic influences on pain perception.
- To explore the biopsychosocial aspects of pain and relevant genes.
- To identify potential applications of epigenetic principles in pain management.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of the PubMed database.
- Used MeSH terms: gene modification, epigenetics, genes, pain, analgesia, types of pain, theories of pain.
- Filtered for publications within the last 10 years focusing on generalized pain, biopsychosocial aspects, pertinent genes, and epigenetic modulation.
Main Results:
- Selected 52 publications for review.
- Identified key genes and epigenetic mechanisms affecting pain perception.
- Highlighted the gap between research findings and clinical application in pain management.
Conclusions:
- External factors and epigenetic principles significantly impact pain perception.
- Further research is needed to generate evidence-based data for clinical application.
- This review aims to stimulate advancements in acute and chronic pain management through understanding genetic and epigenetic factors.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
763
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
763
01:44Nociception
29.2K
Nociception—the ability to feel pain—is essential for an organism’s survival and overall well-being. Noxious stimuli such as piercing pain from a sharp object, heat from an open flame, or contact with corrosive chemicals are first detected by sensory receptors, called nociceptors, located on nerve endings. Nociceptors express ion channels that convert noxious stimuli into electrical signals. When these signals reach the brain via sensory neurons, they are perceived as pain.
29.2K
01:20Pain
576
Pain serves as a critical warning signal that alerts the body to potential or actual harm. When mechanical pressure on the skin is intense, such as from a sharp pinch, the sensation transitions from touch to pain. Similarly, extreme temperatures, like a hot pot handle, convert the sensation of heat into pain. Pain can also result from overstimulation of other senses, such as blinding light, loud noise, or the intense heat from habañero peppers. This ability to sense pain is essential for...
576
01:28Human Genetics
691
Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
691
01:46Epigenetic Regulation
31.3K
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
31.3K