2024
A multi-ancestry genetic study of pain intensity in 598,339 veterans
Toikumo S, Vickers-Smith R, Jinwala Z, Xu H, Saini D, Hartwell E, Pavicic M, Sullivan K, Xu K, Jacobson D, Gelernter J, Rentsch C, Stahl E, Cheatle M, Zhou H, Waxman S, Justice A, Kember R, Kranzler H. A multi-ancestry genetic study of pain intensity in 598,339 veterans. Nature Medicine 2024, 30: 1075-1084. PMID: 38429522, DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-02839-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPain intensityChronic painTreat chronic painCalcium channel blockersCross-ancestry meta-analysisGenome-wide association studiesExperience of painSamples of European ancestryPain phenotypesFunctional genomics dataGABAergic neuronsCalcium channelsAnalgesic effectB-blockersDrug groupMillion Veteran ProgramPainSubstance use disordersQuality of lifeDrug repurposing analysisOpioid crisisGenetic architectureCausal genesGenetic lociGenomic data
2023
TRPA1 rare variants in chronic neuropathic and nociplastic pain patients
Marchi M, Salvi E, Andelic M, Mehmeti E, D'Amato I, Cazzato D, Chiappori F, Lombardi R, Cartelli D, Devigili G, Bella E, Gerrits M, Almomani R, Malik R, Ślęczkowska M, Mazzeo A, Gentile L, Dib-Hajj S, Waxman S, Faber C, Vecchio E, de Tommaso M, Lauria G. TRPA1 rare variants in chronic neuropathic and nociplastic pain patients. Pain 2023, 164: 2048-2059. PMID: 37079850, PMCID: PMC10443199, DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002905.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNociplastic painPainful neuropathyPain patientsHealthy controlsRare variantsChronic neuropathic painChronic pain disordersChronic widespread painChronic pain patientsMolecular profilePainless neuropathyNeuropathic painPain disordersWidespread painChronic painPatient's molecular profileIndependent cohortPainPatientsClinical diagnosisDisease riskNeuropathyTRPA1 variantsNew risk genesPain genesConserved but not critical: Trafficking and function of NaV1.7 are independent of highly conserved polybasic motifs
Tyagi S, Sarveswaran N, Higerd-Rusli G, Liu S, Dib-Hajj F, Waxman S, Dib-Hajj S. Conserved but not critical: Trafficking and function of NaV1.7 are independent of highly conserved polybasic motifs. Frontiers In Molecular Neuroscience 2023, 16: 1161028. PMID: 37008789, PMCID: PMC10060856, DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1161028.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSensory axonsPeripheral voltage-gated sodium channelsMajor unmet clinical needFunction of Nav1.7Non-addictive treatmentsUnmet clinical needVoltage-clamp recordingsVoltage-gated sodium channelsPain therapyChronic painPrimary afferentsNoxious stimuliTherapeutic modalitiesAction potentialsAxonal transportClinical needVesicular packagingSodium channelsHuman painPainAxonal traffickingAxonal surfaceAxonal membraneAxonsAttractive targetGene therapy for chronic pain: emerging opportunities in target-rich peripheral nociceptors
Ovsepian S, Waxman S. Gene therapy for chronic pain: emerging opportunities in target-rich peripheral nociceptors. Nature Reviews Neuroscience 2023, 24: 252-265. PMID: 36658346, DOI: 10.1038/s41583-022-00673-7.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2019
A gain-of-function sodium channel β2-subunit mutation in painful diabetic neuropathy
Alsaloum M, Estacion M, Almomani R, Gerrits MM, Bönhof GJ, Ziegler D, Malik R, Ferdousi M, Lauria G, Merkies IS, Faber CG, Dib-Hajj S, Waxman S. A gain-of-function sodium channel β2-subunit mutation in painful diabetic neuropathy. Molecular Pain 2019, 15: 1744806919849802. PMID: 31041876, PMCID: PMC6510061, DOI: 10.1177/1744806919849802.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDiabetic peripheral neuropathyPeripheral neuropathyNeuropathic painDiabetic peripheral neuropathy patientsPainful diabetic peripheral neuropathyDorsal root ganglion neuronsPainful diabetic neuropathyPeripheral neuropathy patientsSodium channel β subunitsSpectrum of patientsUse-dependent inhibitionCardiac conducting systemSodium channel α subunitVoltage-gated sodium channelsChannel α-subunitsSCN11A geneDiabetic neuropathyDiabetes mellitusChronic painNeuropathy patientsGanglion neuronsNegative genetic screeningChannel β subunitHealth sequelaeRepetitive stimulation
2018
Therapeutic potential of Pak1 inhibition for pain associated with cutaneous burn injury
Guo Y, Benson C, Hill M, Henry S, Effraim P, Waxman S, Dib-Hajj S, Tan AM. Therapeutic potential of Pak1 inhibition for pain associated with cutaneous burn injury. Molecular Pain 2018, 14: 1744806918788648. PMID: 29956587, PMCID: PMC6053256, DOI: 10.1177/1744806918788648.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDendritic spine dysgenesisNeuropathic painSpine dysgenesisBurn injurySignificant tactile allodyniaDorsal horn neuronsChronic disease burdenActivity-dependent expressionCutaneous burn injurySecond-degree burn injuryBurn injury modelC-fos expressionPotential molecular targetsDrug discontinuationHeat hyperalgesiaTactile allodyniaDorsal hornPain outcomesChronic painNociceptive activityLower painDisease burdenInjury modelCognitive dysfunctionPain
2016
Pharmacotherapy for Pain in a Family With Inherited Erythromelalgia Guided by Genomic Analysis and Functional Profiling
Geha P, Yang Y, Estacion M, Schulman BR, Tokuno H, Apkarian AV, Dib-Hajj SD, Waxman SG. Pharmacotherapy for Pain in a Family With Inherited Erythromelalgia Guided by Genomic Analysis and Functional Profiling. JAMA Neurology 2016, 73: 659. PMID: 27088781, DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2016.0389.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAction PotentialsAdultAnalgesics, Non-NarcoticBrainCarbamazepineChronic PainDNA Mutational AnalysisDouble-Blind MethodElectric StimulationErythromelalgiaFemaleGanglia, SpinalHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingMaleMutationNAV1.7 Voltage-Gated Sodium ChannelPain MeasurementRegression AnalysisSensory Receptor CellsConceptsMean episode durationDRG neuronsPatient 1Nav1.7 mutationEpisode durationDorsal root ganglion neuronsPlacebo-controlled studyMaintenance periodAttenuation of painEffects of carbamazepineBrain activityFunctional magnetic resonance imagingMagnetic resonance imagingT mutationMutant channelsFunctional magnetic resonanceNeuropathic painSecondary somatosensoryChronic painPain areaPatient 2Ganglion neuronsEffective pharmacotherapyNight awakeningsPlacebo
2012
Understanding chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain
Hughes J, Chessell I, Malamut R, Perkins M, Bačkonja M, Baron R, Farrar J, Field M, Gereau R, Gilron I, McMahon S, Porreca F, Rappaport B, Rice F, Richman L, Segerdahl M, Seminowicz D, Watkins L, Waxman S, Wiech K, Woolf C. Understanding chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Annals Of The New York Academy Of Sciences 2012, 1255: 30-44. PMID: 22564068, DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06561.x.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2008
Multiple sodium channel isoforms and mitogen‐activated protein kinases are present in painful human neuromas
Black JA, Nikolajsen L, Kroner K, Jensen TS, Waxman SG. Multiple sodium channel isoforms and mitogen‐activated protein kinases are present in painful human neuromas. Annals Of Neurology 2008, 64: 644-653. PMID: 19107992, DOI: 10.1002/ana.21527.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMultiple sodium channel isoformsHuman neuromasSodium channel isoformsPainful neuromasMitogen-activated protein kinaseERK1/2 MAP kinasesNeuronal voltage-gated sodium channelsChannel isoformsSodium channel Nav1.3Sodium channelsSpontaneous ectopic dischargeTreatment of painSodium channel Nav1.1Possible therapeutic targetVoltage-gated sodium channelsMAP kinase p38Ectopic dischargesChronic painTraumatic neuromaChannel Nav1.1MAP kinaseExtracellular signal-regulated kinases 1NeuromaTherapeutic targetPainAlarm or curse? The pain of neuroinflammation
Saab C, Waxman S, Hains B. Alarm or curse? The pain of neuroinflammation. Brain Research Reviews 2008, 58: 226-235. PMID: 18486228, DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresrev.2008.04.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImmune cellsExperimental spinal cord injuryContribution of microgliaNociceptive nervous systemPeripheral nerve injuryExposure of neuronsSpinal cord injuryDevelopment of pharmacotherapiesNeuropathic injuryNeuropathic painNerve injuryPainful behaviorChronic painNeuroexcitatory effectsCord injuryChronic activationNervous systemPainImmune systemInjuryIdentification of moleculesNeuronsFunctional consequencesCellsDetrimental consequencesLocomotor Dysfunction and Pain: The Scylla and Charybdis of Fiber Sprouting After Spinal Cord Injury
Deumens R, Joosten E, Waxman S, Hains B. Locomotor Dysfunction and Pain: The Scylla and Charybdis of Fiber Sprouting After Spinal Cord Injury. Molecular Neurobiology 2008, 37: 52-63. PMID: 18415034, DOI: 10.1007/s12035-008-8016-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChronic painFiber sproutingAutonomic dysreflexiaMotor functionDorsal horn laminaePrimary afferent fibersSpinal cord injuryInterruption of connectionsDevelopment of therapiesMotor deficitsMotor dysfunctionNociceptive processingSensory fibersAfferent fibersCord injuryMotor fibersAberrant sproutingRegenerative sproutingSpinal cordLocomotor dysfunctionInhibitory barrierPainAxonal growthFiber tractsDysreflexia
2000
Voltage-gated sodium channels and the molecular pathogenesis of pain: a review.
Waxman SG, Cummins TR, Dib-Hajj SD, Black JA. Voltage-gated sodium channels and the molecular pathogenesis of pain: a review. The Journal Of Rehabilitation Research And Development 2000, 37: 517-28. PMID: 11322150.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVoltage-gated sodium channelsDRG neuronsNervous systemSodium channelsDistinct voltage-gated sodium channelsAction potentialsSpinal sensory neuronsSodium channel expressionSpontaneous action potentialsDifferent sodium channelsSpecific sodium channelsUnderstanding of painHigh-frequency activityInflammatory painPain pathwaysChronic painNociceptive signalsPeripheral nervesSensory neuronsNew therapiesPainChannel expressionMolecular pathogenesisPharmacologic manipulationNeuron cell membraneSodium channels and the molecular pathophysiology of pain
Cummins T, Dib-Hajj S, Black J, Waxman S. Sodium channels and the molecular pathophysiology of pain. Progress In Brain Research 2000, 129: 3-19. PMID: 11098678, DOI: 10.1016/s0079-6123(00)29002-x.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsConceptsDorsal root gangliaTrigeminal neuronsSodium channelsAction potentialsDorsal root ganglion neuronsSpontaneous action potential activityMolecular pathophysiologyPrimary sensory neuronsPeripheral target tissuesAction potential activitySodium channel expressionChain of neuronsPathological burstingNerve injuryNociceptive pathwaysChronic painGanglion neuronsRoot gangliaSensory neuronsChannel expressionSomatosensory systemPainNeuronsTarget tissuesPathophysiology
1998
SNS Na+ channel expression increases in dorsal root ganglion neurons in the carrageenan inflammatory pain model
Tanaka M, Cummins T, Ishikawa K, Dib-Hajj S, Black J, Waxman S. SNS Na+ channel expression increases in dorsal root ganglion neurons in the carrageenan inflammatory pain model. Neuroreport 1998, 9: 967-972. PMID: 9601651, DOI: 10.1097/00001756-199804200-00003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSmall DRG neuronsDorsal root ganglion neuronsInjection of carrageenanDRG neuronsInflamed limbGanglion neuronsSodium currentTTX-R sodium currentsTetrodotoxin-resistant sodium currentInflammatory pain modelDevelopment of hyperexcitabilitySodium channel expressionPatch-clamp recordingsInflammatory painPain modelChronic painCarrageenan injectionNociceptive cellsContralateral sideNaive ratsChannel expressionProjection fieldsMRNA expressionNeuronsSodium channels