Relieve pain with light

Scientists from the Stanford University's Bio-X division have used gene therapy to manipulate mice, so light can be used on the legs of mice to alter the sensitivity of the pain.

This application is a neurotransmitter technique called optogenetics . Start by inserting light-sensitive proteins called opsin into the nerves of the mice. The researchers found that when exposed to different levels and colors, mice were very sensitive to pain in the direction of increase or decrease.

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Scientists believe that this study will help a deeper understanding of how to endure the pain of each individual and ultimately use light to treat people, especially debilitated patients and suffering from chronic pain.

The mice involved in the experiment were injected with a virus into this type of nerve capable of affecting DNA to produce opsin optical sensitive elements. As a result, after a few weeks opsin can control pain depending on the color and extent of pain when exposed to light.

Gizmag magazine quoted Professor Linda Porter of Stanford University as saying that this approach shows great potential to help millions of patients suffering persistent pain due to nerve damage.