Scotland-based University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom-based Durham University and Taiwan-based Academia Sinica researchers discovered a protein's role in delivering mechanical senses, according to Medical Xpress.
Nature Communications published the study.
Here are five insights:
1. Nerve endings may be to blame for painful muscle spasms in people with spinal cord injuries.
2. The nerve cells couldn't sense gentle movements when researchers deactivated the ASIC3 protein in nerve endings.
3. They concluded the ASIC3 protein is crucial to detecting small, rapid movements.
4. Pinpointing specific proteins impacting nerve endings may help with drug development.
5. The researchers noted sensitive nerve endings may exacerbate pain in people with SCI, so this discovery may eventually help with treatment.