Genetic influences on pain perception in chronic pain states
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A genomic and functional study exploring genetic influences on pain perception in chronic pain states
IRAS ID
109031
Contact name
Daniel W Wheeler
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Cambridge
Research summary
Summary of Results
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a painful disorder. It is characterised by pain that persists after injury to a part of the body, usually the limb. Previous research indicate that the problem is with the nervous system that abnormally amplifies and prolongs pain. We investigate whether genetics can explain why only some people will develop the disorder after an injury. Our preliminary results indicate that people with CRPS are far more likely to possess rare mutations of some genes, when compared to the general population (genetic databases). Those genes code for proteins that are involved in inflammation, we do not whether those mutations will change the way the proteins work. Further work is being done in the laboratory (in cells) that examine those findings in greater detail.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
12/EE/0486
Date of REC Opinion
13 Dec 2012
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion