New Pain Sensing Organ Discovered
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Scientists Discovered New Pain Sensing Organ

Specialized cutaneous Schwann cells initiate pain sensation

Scientists have discovered a new pain sensing body organ in the skin that detects discomfort and also might lead the way for more reliable and effective painkilling medication.

These pain sensing cells develop a “mesh-like network” which is so comprehensive it needs to be taken into consideration as a body organ, researchers claim. Previously it was thought the endings of nerve cells were unwrapped, yet this most current research recommends that is not the situation.

Patrik Ernfors, senior study author,  from Sweden’s Karolinska Institute said that their study on new pain sensing organ shows that sensitivity to pain does not occur only in the skin’s nerve fibers, but also in this recently discovered pain sensing organ. He added that this discovery is going to change our understanding of the cellular mechanisms of physical sensation as well as this study may be of significance in the understanding of chronic pain.

This new pain sensing sensory organ has Schwann cells that have multiple long protrusions that wrap themselves around nerve cells. This helps keeps them to be alive, according to the paper published in Journal Science.

These cells rest

below the external layer of skin (the epidermis) and also their lengthy tentacle-like projections prolong up right into the outer layer. Not only do they wrap around nerve endings but, like nerve cells, they also produce pain and also are extremely sensitive to stimulation.

In experiments, Scientists genetically modified mice so that their Schwann cells were stimulated by light. When light shone on their feet they licked and also trembled them, revealing that these cells i.e, pain sensing organ with Specialized cutaneous Schwann cells had actually caused them pain.

Feeling pain is needed for survival and also protects our bodies from damages by promoting response reactions, such as pulling away if you touch something very hot.

Almost one in 5 people experience continuous discomfort and pain and also a significant quantity of money and efforts are put into discovering new painkilling medications.

Researchers say there is still more research to do on this new organ which is the specialized cutaneous Schwann cells that initiate pain sensation

Dr. Ernfors said that they have not studied these organs in humans yet. However, when considering the fact that all previously found known sensory organs in the mouse had also existed in humans, there is a chance that it is possible if not likely that new pain sensing cell type does exist also in the human skin.

Source

Ria Roy completed her Post Grad degree at the Visvesvaraya Technological University. She has a great grounding in the skills, including technical, analytical and research skills. She is a motivated life science professional with experience of working in famous research institutes