Pain Research Panel
The development of acute and chronic pain conditions results from the interaction between two domains: pain sensitivity and psychological states, which are influenced by both genetic variables and environmental factors (e.g., injury and stress). Research has shown that complex clinical conditions, including acute and chronic pain states, cannot be explained by genetic variations in a single gene but rather is influenced by interactions between genetic variations in a number of genes.  As such, the most efficient approach that can be used to identify genetic predictors, markers, and therapeutic targets for acute and chronic pain conditions is to analyze the additive effects of polygenic variants of multiple functionally related groups of candidate genes. 

The Cogenics Pain Research Panel targets genes involved in acute and chronic pain conditions.  The panel utilizes the Affymetrix MegAllele™ platform and contains over 3,000 SNPs in 350 genes whose protein products are linked to biological pathways that influence pain sensitivity and/or psychological state.  These SNPs are arranged into 3 clusters:

Cluster 1: genes that produce proteins that mediate the transmission of pain signals by sensory nerve fibers and by CNS neural pathways that mediate the perception of pain.

Cluster 2: genes that produce proteins that mediate peripheral and central inflammatory responses to tissue injury or psychological stress.  Many of these genes are expressed in monocytes, microglia, and astrocytes. 

Cluster 3: genes that produce proteins that influence mood and affect, which are psychological states that are associated with acute and chronic pain conditions.

Many of the genes in these 3 clusters also produce proteins that mediate the therapeutic effects of pharmacological agents used to treat pain, inflammation, affect and mood.  

The panel allows researchers engaged in the study of acute and chronic pain conditions to stratify clinical outcomes based on genetic profiles.

Sample
Clients provide purified genomic DNA (gDNA) or EDTA-preserved blood

Results
Final Reports for Affymetrix platform assays include raw microarray images, raw microarray data files, SNP scores and genotypes for each patient sample.

Gene List
Download a copy of the Pain Research Panel Gene List