Scientists have discovered a substance that can reduce one of the worst chronic nerve pains, an advance that may offer new hope to patients of the condition.
Trigeminal neuralgia is characterised by sharp, lancinating pain in the teeth or facial area. The standard treatment for this chronic nerve pain can cause burdening side effects.
The sharp pain shoots to the face or teeth and seriously torments patients. Known as trigeminal neuralgia, it is one of the worst chronic nerve pains.
The bouts are triggered by touch, such as shaving, putting on make-up, showering, talking and tooth brushing, or even a gust of wind.
The cause is usually an irritation of the trigeminal nerve, the cranial nerve responsible for the sensory innervation of the facial area, parts of the scalp, and the oral cavity.
A newly tested substance, BIIB074, can reduce the pain to a tolerable level, according to a study conducted at the University of Zurich in Switzerland.
BIIB074 inhibits the sodium channel 1.7 through which pain signals are sent to the brain causing the pain.
"Unlike conventional drugs, which often cause tiredness and concentration problems, BIIB074 was not only effective, but also very well tolerated," said Dominik Ettlin, a dental specialist at University of Zurich.
"We will now test the new substance in a lot more subjects during the next study phase, which will reveal whether the new hope for more effective pain relief is justified," he added.
Around 13 people in every 100,000 are diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia every year.
Trigeminal neuralgia affects more women than men, the majority of whom are pensioners. Around one percent of all multiple sclerosis patients develop trigeminal neuralgia.
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