Uncovering the Molecular Machinery of a Woman Immune to Pain

New research from UCL has uncovered the biology behind a rare genetic mutation that results in its carrier experiencing minimal pain, enhanced healing, and lower levels of anxiety and fear. The mutation in the FAAH-OUT gene ‘turns down’ FAAH gene expression, affecting molecular pathways related to wound healing and mood, thereby offering potential new targets for drug discovery. The insights garnered from these findings could potentially pave the way for novel drug targets and foster further research in these domains.