U.S. scientists say they have created a synthetic molecule that could be used to treat chronic pain in patients with diseases such as diabetes or shingles.

Northeastern University Professor Alexandros Makriyannis, Associate Professor Torjjorn Jarbe and former University of Connecticut researchers Chen Li and Qian Liu said their new molecule, AM1346, mimics, but is more powerful than, anandamide, an endogenous cannabinoid neurotransmitter found prominently in the brains of humans and animals. Anandamide is a naturally occurring part of the endocannabinoid system that regulates pain, controls heart rate and blood pressure, and modulates mood and appetite, the scientists said.

AM1346 is a more potent and stable synthetic compound than anandamide, Makriyannis said. It will serve as a test compound to study and understand more completely the endocannabinoid system and could have potential therapeutic implications as a topically applied pain killer.

The findings were published in a recent issue of the journal Psychopharmacology.

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