Neuropathic pain is a common but hard-to-treat condition affecting people living with spinal cord injury. Current treatments—such as antidepressants, antiepileptics, and opioids—often have limited effectiveness and significant side effects.
Clinical research on a new treatment for neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury is underway at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) at Augusta University.
Now entering Phase Two trials, the study focuses on EC5026—an oral drug that inhibits an enzyme responsible for breaking down anti-inflammatory fatty acids in the body. By preventing this breakdown, EC5026 may reduce inflammation and pain without the addictive risks of opioids.
Dr. Laura Carbone, chief of Rheumatology at MCG and the study’s principal investigator, noted that the drug showed promise in both animal models and early human trials. “It has no reward potential at all, and that’s really the beauty of it,” she said, emphasizing its non-addictive profile. The research team hopes EC5026 will provide a safer, more effective alternative for managing chronic neuropathic pain.
9 responses to “Chronic Pain Treatment Begins Clinical Trials”
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Are there any other trials for neuropathic pain?
I suffer from diabetic neuropathy of both my feet and have resorted to tramadol a highly addictive opioid. It has been over a year now and I am soo scared of the withdrawal symptoms of opioid. I take 100mg every six hours on a 24hour cycle. My biggest fear is running out of tramadol. I am not normally an addictive person and I would really love to stop but the withdrawal symptoms will be too hard on me, I’m scared I’ll not make it. I am a 62 year old female with diabetes and hypertension. The pain in my feet is debilitating.
Im a sixty 5 year old teacher and lately my pains has increased manifold. Cant lie on my back nor on my sides as bodyparts just become numb and then the pain to get up during the night. Same happens when I sit too long. Amazingly nothing pains when I move around and walk.
Suffering with degenerative discs lumbar and cervical for over 15 years. Doctors have advised surgery. Had ryzotomys and and nerve blocks done temporary relief. In opioids daily together with anti inflammatory medication. Now have neuropathy in feet. At the end of my wits.
Wow !, so looking forward to the end of trials – so hoping it will the beginning of the END of fibromyalgia!
I am 69, 15 months since fracture of my spine. I want some gentle exercises for kyphosis. I walk 3 kil per day back braves a nightmare to wear..I need exrsises and stretched. I’m ,69, osteoporosis of my spine
Severe chronic head and spine pain
Is this trial open to people in South Africa? My daughter has CRPS
Iv had 2 back surgery and im in cronnick 😢