The researchers presented on Monday their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences after a successful experimental treatment of a model rat's chronic pain.
According to their study, they injected genes in the rodent's spinal cord area and the gene induced nerve cells to produce endorphins, a natural painkiller. The rat was free from pain for three months.
The therapy offers a better alternative to painkilling drugs in treating chronic pain. It spares patients from sleepiness, mental clouding and hallucinations, which are common side effects of painkilling drugs like morphine, according to Andreas Beutler, an assistant professor of medicine, hematology and medical oncology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
The new therapy is still being tested further to determine if it is safe and effective for humans.
