Potent Analgesic Effects of GDNF in Neuropathic Pain States

TLDR

Neuropathic pain results from nerve injury, its causes remain poorly understood, and current treatments are largely ineffective. GDNF appears to reverse injury‑induced plasticity of multiple sodium channel subunits, thereby reducing ectopic discharges. GDNF prevented and reversed sensory abnormalities in neuropathic pain models, reduced ectopic discharges, and offers a rational basis for its therapeutic use.

Abstract

Neuropathic pain arises as a debilitating consequence of nerve injury. The etiology of such pain is poorly understood, and existing treatment is largely ineffective. We demonstrate here that glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) both prevented and reversed sensory abnormalities that developed in neuropathic pain models, without affecting pain-related behavior in normal animals. GDNF reduces ectopic discharges within sensory neurons after nerve injury. This may arise as a consequence of the reversal by GDNF of the injury-induced plasticity of several sodium channel subunits. Together these findings provide a rational basis for the use of GDNF as a therapeutic treatment for neuropathic pain states.