A study led by the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with the University of Oxford has found that a pain gene carried by women with chronic pelvic pain makes them more likely to respond well to Pfizer’s painkilling drug, Neurontin (gabapentin).
Published in the journal iScience, the study found that women carrying a naturally occurring variation of the gene called Neuregulin 3 in their DNA were more likely to experience relief after taking Neurontin.
Chronic pelvic pain is a persistent, disabling pain that affects around one in four women globally.
Often prescribed for chronic pain, Neurontin is designed to target the central nervous system to reduce the heightened pain sensitivity that affects people living with long-standing conditions.
After studying the genetic make-up of 71 women living with chronic pelvic pain who had received Neurontin, researchers found that 29 women responded to the medication, while 42 saw no improvement.
The team found that a naturally occurring variation of the gene Neuregulin 3, which is found in the brain and spinal cord and involved in pain sensation and transmission, determined who would respond to the pain medication.
Lead author of the study, Dr Scott Mackenzie from the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Reproductive Health, commented: “We hope eventually to use this genetic marker to optimise personalised treatment decisions and minimise adverse effects for women with chronic pelvic pain.”
Offering new insight into the underlying mechanisms behind chronic pain, the findings could help to improve the use of Neurontin in treating chronic pelvic pain and could potentially help to treat other conditions.
With support from Edinburgh Innovations and the University of Edinburgh’s commercialisation service, the team intends to complete further research to confirm findings in a larger population of women.
Dr Susan Bodie, head of business development, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, Edinburgh Innovations, said: “This… important discovery… could… help refine treatments for millions of women worldwide who suffer from chronic pelvic pain, as well as increasing our understanding of its role in other pain conditions.”

https://pharmatimes.com/news/study-finds-pain-gene-affects-success-of-chronic-pain-medicine-neurontin-in-women/