4.08.10 - New research findings on the influence of the NEP gene on CRPS
Up to now it was shown that genetic factors play a role in CRPS. This was indicated by the occurrence of familial cases and several genetic association studies investigating mainly the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system.
In this study, that has been published in Neuroscience Letters, the role of neutral endopeptidase (NEP) was investigated. NEP is a key enzyme in neuropeptide catabolism. The dysfunction resulting in reduced inactivation of neuropeptides might cause a pathological reaction in CRPS.
However in the research no significant genetic association was observed. The researchers concluded that the NEP gene does not seem to be a major risk factor for CRPS.
Authors: Kathrin Huehne, Ute Schaal, Stefan Leis, Steffen Uebe, M. Florencia Gosso, Arn M.J.M. van den Maagdenberg, Christian Maihöfner, Frank Birklein, Bernd Rautenstrauss, and Andreas Winterpacht.