Nanoconjugates for Treating Neuropathic Pain in a Laboratory Model of MS

Summary

Multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic inflammatory disease of the spinal cord and brain, is the most common disabling neurological disease in young adults.  

Chronic pain is a common debilitating condition associated with MS. Pain symptoms that arise from damage to the brain and spinal cord, such as facial pain, are highly prevalent and unfortunately, still lack effective treatments. Most current medications for chronic pain are delivered systemically, are only partially effective, and are associated with frequent severe side effects.  

Using a laboratory model of MS, this project will involve pre-clinical investigations of a novel approach for targeted delivery of a pain-relieving drug to reduce facial pain symptoms. The team will selectively target facial sensory neurons (nerve cells) with gold nanoparticles coupled to an approved drug for pain modulation to achieve specific and controlled delivery of the nanomaterial to the brain.  

The research outcomes will significantly advance the development of new selective nanomedicine that could overcome the limitations of current analgesic drug delivery in chronic pain associated with MS.