Match and mismatch: identifying the neuronal determinants of pain

Article Abstract:

Many questions remain about the source of unexplained pain or explanations of life-threatening diseases with no accompanying pain. Recent studies have pointed to the central nervous system as the source of these discrepancies. One study has suggested that activity in the thalamus may be responsible for controlling the perceptions of pain. This study also showed that patients with no pain associated with a heart condition called ischemia had less activity in areas of the brain associated with pain perceptions. Another study has suggested that the central nervous system may process pain from different areas of the body, such as the esophagus and the heart, in the same way, thus confusing the source of the pain. Unexplained pain may also have a psychological component. Future research may direct the need for identifying patients with mismatched pain and address a possible hereditary component of these conditions.

Causes of, Physiological aspects, Pain, Nociceptors

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Mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes

Article Abstract:

A mutation in the genes for enzymes that repair DNA can cause some types of colorectal cancer. Normally, enzymes that repair DNA help to prevent cancer. But when the repair system is defective, those DNA defects accumulate. One type of colorectal cancer called Lynch syndrome is caused by mutations in the genes for the DNA repair system.

DNA repair

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Selecting patients with colorectal cancer to test for genetic abnormalities

Article Abstract:

People with a family history of colorectal cancer who have a DNA abnormality called microsatellite instability should be tested for mutations in the MLH1 and MSH2 genes. These genes have been linked to colorectal cancer.

Research, Genetic screening, Genetic testing

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