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"Could A Pufferfish Be The Next Big Thing For Neuropathy Treatment?"

  • KSAT News
  • New York, NY
  • (October 10, 2017)

Thirty percent of Americans will be affected by peripheral neuropathy, a condition that impacts nerves leading to the arms and legs. In many cases, doctors prescribe medicines to help manage the pain, burning, and tingling. Now, researchers are testing a new non-addictive treatment inspired from a surprising source. “In upwards of thirty percent of patients with peripheral neuropathy one can’t identify a cause,” said David Simpson, MD, professor of neurology and neuromuscular disease, director of the clinical neurophysiology laboratories, director of the neuromuscular division at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Now, researchers are testing a drug to treat neuropathy pain. Right now it’s known as CC8464. Inspired by the toxin found in Japanese pufferfish, the drug copies how the fish toxins disrupt signals to the body. Researchers said since the drug candidate bypasses the brain and works directly on peripheral nerves, it may not be addictive.

- David Simpson, MD, Professor, Neurology, Neuromuscular Diseases, Director, Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratories, Director, Neuromuscular Division, Director, Neuro-AIDS Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

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