For many of us PN'ers among the various manifestations of pain, the incredible cold or freezing can be among the most difficult to treat, in part because the mechanism(s) of/for temperature sensation mediated by small fibers, particularly cold sensation and transmission are not well understood. Research from around the world continues to unravel the intricacies of ion channels to understand the importance of a family of temperature dependent ion channels known as transient receptor potential (TRP), e.g. TRPM8 for cold and TRPA1 for heat. Ion channels are proteins that form tiny openings through a cell membrane to allow the passage of specific ions to regulate cellular activities. Some of these channels are sensitive to chemicals, some to voltage changes and some to temperature changes. TRPM8 is a member of the thermo-TRP family of ion channels that respond to temperatures.

This is an area of intense R&D around the world and will probably continue to increase as more and more people are diagnosed w/ PN, regardless of the source. There was a very recent article from J&J that may help to stimulate the discovery of new agents for PN pain relief specifically that related to the cold.

The links below are to the same synopsis of the article which was just published in Neuron this past week. Many forum members, myself included, have suggested a variety of useful treatments to alleviate or at least manage the symptoms but we all know the pain continues. I realize that this study is in animals and that an effective treatment is still a long ways off but I think it is a significant step forward to understanding the mechanisms of cold hyperalgesia and allodynia that many PN'ers suffer with.

Raritan, NJ (May 2, 2007) -- Researchers at Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. (J&JPRD) today announced that they have discovered a biological basis for explaining how people sense cold temperatures.
Ultimately, [B][I]these findings may be a critical step in developing treatments for patients who suffer from hypersensitivity to cold, such as occurs in neuropathic pain and complex regional pain syndromes. This research is published in the May 3, 2007 issue of Neuron.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releas...-jdm050207.php
http://www.huliq.com/20615/new-treat...caused-by-cold
http://www.jnj.com/news/jnj_news/20070502_153439.htm

Alkymst

they are finding the 'receptors' that send the signal. But, not yet know what is triggering the receptors to scream HOT or COLD? Next step, not know what to do about turning off those receptors yet? Essentially, they've discovered one more of the many 'processes' in the whole set of processes?

I'm wondering out loud here in that those folks w/PN have either/and/or Hot and cold sensations at once. Folks w/MS by contrast, tend to have more of the HOT sensations...even tho their demeylination occurs mostly in the brain as opposed to the extremeties. Are these receptors site specific to the peripheral nerves or thruout the body?

I'm just wondering out loud here. I wonder what will be next, and where it all will lead us. I for one just want it all {RELIEF!} soon. - j

Alkymst (clever name!), it is always heartening to hear about research being done. Even if only some of it pans our, or even if it takes years, it is uplifting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. If it doesn't reach me before I'm gone, at least it will eventually help someone. It wasn't that long ago that we did not have fentanyl patches or Lyrica (which help me). Thank you for the information.

Interesting Alkymst, thanks for sharing that info.

Brian

Alkymst:

As usual, I still don't have to go to school. I come on these boards, read various posts, (such as yours), and I LEARN!!!!! And I'll be 60 soon.

Imagine what I'll know when I'm 70???

Thanks very much for the information. I interpret them as if they were chemistry lessons. Keep em coming!!!!

Melody

Thank you for this. You know before I had my nerve issues I always had cold feet that felt numb and took for ever to warm up. Even on Fri at the neuro doc I had him touch my feet because they were frozen. I can tell people here really research and that is what I'm starting to do.