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FRIMEDBIO-Fri prosj.st. med.,helse,biol

Exploring the genetics of neuropathic pain

Alternative title: Genetikk og nevropatisk smerte

Awarded: NOK 10.2 mill.

Neuropathic pain is defined as "pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system". Neuropathic pain is a huge health problem worldwide, with an estimated prevalence of 7-8 % in the general population. In the present study we will search for new genetic variants relevant for the development of this type of pain. Peripheral nerve lesions only progress to neuropathic pain in some patients, yet we do not know why or how. Genetic studies of patients with rare neuropathic disorders have been important for elucidating novel molecular mechanisms of neuropathic pain, and new drugs for neuropathic pain are now being developed based on these findings. By using genetic association studies, one may identify new genetic variants which may help to identify key molecular mechanisms for a larger group of patients with neuropathic pain. In this project we will use existing population-based cohorts, as well as establishing a specific registry and biobank for patients with neuropathy in order to address these specific needs. This will enable us to identify a large number of individuals with probable neuropathic pain and individuals with pain-free peripheral neuropathy (disease controls). International collaboration will enable us to study a large group of patients, which will be important in order to reach our goals for the project. The results from the project are expected to increase current knowledge on the mechanisms of neuropathic pain, opening up new opportunities for innovative and improved treatments. Dissemination of results will be organized in close collaboration with patient representatives, and will be done regularly throughout the course of the project. We focus both on internal dissemination to the participating hospitals, and external dissemination through participation in conferences, submissions to scientific journals and by publishing patient-friendly information booklets and proactively informing media outlets and patient organizations. So far we have some hits in the genetic analysis, and have published one paper on genetics. We have also published several papers regarding phenotyping patients with polyneuropathies. Further genetic analysis is ongoing and we expect to publish new data on the mechanisms of neuropathic pain shortly.

Despite decades of research, the etiology of neuropathic pain remains an enigma. Norwegian pain researchers are well positioned to become front-runners in the study of pain genetics, with a wealth of good quality data found in our biobanks and registries. This project intends to use both existing population-based cohorts, as well as to establish a specific neuropathy registry and biobank in order to address these specific needs. This project will utilize population-based data from the 70 000 citizens in Nord-Trøndelag who have already been genotyped and linked with phenotypic data from hospital records. This will enable us to identify a large number of both individuals with probable neuropathic pain and individuals with pain-free peripheral neuropathy (disease controls). In addition we will genotype clinical verified patients with neuropathy, and through collaboration with the EU funded project DOLORisk exploit genetic risk factors and determinants for neuropathic pain. The results from the project are expected to increase current knowledge on the mechanisms of neuropathic pain, opening up new opportunities for novel and improved treatments.

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FRIMEDBIO-Fri prosj.st. med.,helse,biol

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