Science & Technology

Brothers suffer no pain with rare condition

By T.K. Randall
July 23, 2012 ·  15 comments

Image Credit: sxc.hu The rare genetic disorder still facilitates the sensation of touch but not pain, sufferers can sustain even life-threatening injuries and they wouldn't feel a thing. The brothers' parents first suspected there was a problem when as a baby Stephen would chew on his tongue while teething. Doctors performed several tests including using needles and even a lighter to try and stimulate a response, when he failed to react at all to what they were doing it was clear that congenital analgesia was to blame.

The condition is very rare indeed affecting less than one in a million. In addition to the potential for being injured without realising it, those suffering from congenital analgesia are also more liable to develop arthritis and as of this time there is no known cure or treatment.[!gad]The rare genetic disorder still facilitates the sensation of touch but not pain, sufferers can sustain even life-threatening injuries and they wouldn't feel a thing. The brothers' parents first suspected there was a problem when as a baby Stephen would chew on his tongue while teething. Doctors performed several tests including using needles and even a lighter to try and stimulate a response, when he failed to react at all to what they were doing it was clear that congenital analgesia was to blame.

The condition is very rare indeed affecting less than one in a million. In addition to the potential for being injured without realising it, those suffering from congenital analgesia are also more liable to develop arthritis and as of this time there is no known cure or treatment.

Source: BBC News | Comments (15)

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