Cannabinoid CB1 receptors have been a potential target for nonopioid-based pain treatment, but actually targeting the pathway has been hindered by issues with tolerance and unwanted CNS side effects. Peripherally selective CB1 agonists developed to overcome these problems have not fully resolved these issues, meaning the peripheral selectivity has to be substantially enhanced.
Mdoloris Medical Systems SAS reported it has developed an automated system for regulating perioperative pain based on continuous optimization of parasympathetic tone. Closed-loop control systems are still rare in the anesthesia space, but they provide greater reliability in achieving set objectives, reduce the risk of human error and free the anesthesiologist from the burden of manually adapting the administration of the various therapies required for surgery.
Latigo Biotherapeutics Inc. and Lieber Institute Inc. have synthesized new methyl-substituted pyridine and pyridazine compounds acting as sodium channel protein type 10 subunit α (Nav1.8) channel blockers reported to be useful for the treatment of pain, arthritis, atherosclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, cancer and psychiatric, respiratory and neurological disorders, among other disorders.
Kashiv Biosciences LLC has synthesized prodrugs of azo compounds reported to be useful for the treatment of interstitial cystitis and pain, among other disorders.
Concentric Analgesics Inc. has discovered transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8 (TRPM8) agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of oropharyngeal dysphagia.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a region in the central amygdala – more often thought of as a processing hub for emotions – that could suppress pain when activated.