Papers of the Week

The discovery of TRPV1 as a receptor for capsaicin, the pungent ingredient in chili pepper, and noxious heat has triggered immense research on the role of TRP channels as polymodal receptors in sensory neuronal signaling. The rich abundance of TRPV1 in nociceptive primary afferents and its involvement in inflammatory and neuropathic pain encouraged the development of analgesics acting on TRPV1. However, the development of TRPV1 antagonists has been hampered by hyperthermia and insensitivity to noxious hot temperatures. Notably, the involvement of TRPV1 and endovanilloids in CNS signaling has opened up the possibility to develop TRPV1 drug therapies for treatment of pain alongside various CNS diseases and mental health conditions.