Researchers finds out blocking sensory nerve signals can significantly reduce the symptoms of a LAR

<![CDATA[

BBC News has reported that scientists have “stumbled on a potential new treatment for delayed asthma attacks”. Delayed attacks, also known as late asthmatic response (LAR), can occur several hours after exposure to asthma triggers such as pollen.

In experiments on rats and mice, researchers found that blocking sensory nerve signals can significantly reduce the symptoms of a LAR, which can affect up to 50% of asthma sufferers. The researchers were also able to identify specific biological molecules called ‘TRPA1 channels’ that seem to be important in this process in rats and mice, and which could provide further targets for future research.

However, as this is early-stage research in rodents it is not clear whether the new findings of this animal study will be directly applicable to humans. Further experiments on human asthma suffers will be needed to better understand the processes of LAR in people. The researchers mention that they may have found a potential new asthma treatment in nerve-blocking ‘anticholinergic’ drugs, which are already used in the management of chronic obstructive airways diseases such as bronchitis. However, before they could be used to treat asthma they would need an extension to their licence. Studies of anticholinergic drugs in asthma have already been undertaken, and this new research may add further information on how use of these medications might be optimised.

Ref and Read more: http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/health/behind-the-headlines/delayed_asthma_attack_clue_1_3011276

]]>