Scientists Spot Chronic Pain 'On/Off' Switch (HealthDay)

FRIDAY, July 28 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. researchers say they've identified a protein in nerve cells that acts as a kind of gatekeeper for chronic pain. This enzyme, called protein kinase G (PKG), is turned on and activated in response to injury or inflammation. Once activated, PKG triggers other processes that generate pain messages that are sent to the brain. As long as PKG is switched on, pain persists. Turning PKG off relieves pain. "We're very optimistic that this discovery and our continued ...