Touch is such a basic function that most of us don't wonder, "Where does this come from?"
From the feeling of a hug to the sting of a bee, we take the sensory experience for granted. Understanding what causes us to have a sense of touch, however, could lead to better treatment of pain.
Scripps Research scientist, Ardem Patapoutian, identified proteins in the body that form ion channels, which are key to our sense of touch and pain. On Wednesday, the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, honored Patapoutian with a prestigious award, its 2020 Kavli Prize in neuroscience for his work.
He told KPBS Midday Edition a possible clinical use of the science could help people suffering from neuropathic pain.
"The work from our lab and others have shown that these ion channels, these proteins that we're talking about, in addition to being responsible for touch, are actually responsible for this touch-induced pain that occurs in people that suffer from neuropathic pain," Patapoutian said. "We know that if you suppress this ion channel in these patients, you would actually get some relief."
He said this kind of therapy could reduce dependence on opiates, which can lead to addiction.
The Kavli prize comes with a $1 million award and a gold medal that Patapoutian will share with David Julius, a neuroscientist with the University of California, San Francisco.
