LSU Health New Orleans Researchers Develop New Painkiller that Promises Safer, Non-Addictive Relief
May 16, 2024
Dr. Nicolas Bazan, Boyd Professor and Director of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence
LSU Health New Orleans researchers have developed a novel, non-addictive, non-toxic painkiller that offers the hope of pain relief while also addressing the opioid crisis through safer, more effective pain management solutions for people worldwide.
Dr. Nicolas Bazan, Boyd Professor and Director of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence, led the team that discovered this innovative therapeutic and is the senior author of this week’s publication in Nature’s Scientific Reports, which outlines clinical advancement in the treatment of acute, chronic, and neuropathic pain and migraine headaches.
“Our research offers hope for millions suffering from pain while also providing a pathway to counteract addiction ... by understanding and harnessing the brain's own mechanisms,” Dr. Bazan said.
Painful conditions affect up to 27% of adults worldwide, including over 51 million adults in the U.S. Existing pain treatments such as opioids, acetaminophen, and NSAIDs pose risks of addiction and toxicity with overuse.
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