Scientists have discovered a new peptide that reduces acute and chronic pain as well as preventing cell death after traumatic brain injury. Researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine wrote in the Journal of Biological Chemistry that the CDB3 peptide short circuits a chronic pain pathway without undermining other vital nerve functions.

The researchers had previously though that CDB3 would trigger the death of brain cells because it interacts with another protein, but this does not seem to be the case.

Rajesh Khanna, Ph.D. said:

“At least 50 years of research has shown that the NMDA receptor, a protein with well-established links to cell death, gets turned on with injury or trauma leading to massive toxic calcium influx into the cells causing cell death,” Khanna said. “Our strategy was to regulate this protein – to control it but not block it completely since some calcium is needed for fundamental cellular functions.”

The scientists discovered that the CDB3 does not cause the death of neurons following traumatic brain injury – such injuries are common after stroke and accidents.

The authors said that testing is currently underway to determine how useful this peptide might be in a blast injury model. Indiana University researchers are collaborating with Dr. Riyi Shi from Purdue University. They say the blast injury model mimics injuries from motorbike accidents, explosions and other trauma.

Khanna explained that a single systemic CDB3 injection allows enough peptide to cross the blood-brain barrier and:

“. . . produces a marked reduction in cell death in the hippocampus, an area important for memory and learning.”

The scientists have successfully prevented cell death in an open-head contusive model of traumatic brain injury in rats.

Khanna said:

“We’ve extended the function of this peptide beyond pain and the fact that CBD3 protects neurons when given two hours after stroke is very promising.”

The authors plan to try out the peptide at longer intervals after injury, and also with different kinds of brain injuries. They hope to develop medications against traumatic brain injury, as well as other neuronal insults.

Written by Christian Nordqvist