Istituto Superiore di Sanità

The Undiagnosed Hackathon was conceptualized and designed by H.C., M. Cederroth, A.N., and A.M.D.V. Biological samples and phenotype data were collected by various authors, processed and analyzed under the coordination of A.M.D.V. et al. All authors participated in data analysis and interpretation, with A.M.D.V. et al. drafting the manuscript. A.N., H.C., and M. Cederroth secured funding.

UC San Diego study finds men and women use different biological systems to relieve chronic lower back pain; men rely on endogenous opioids, while women use non-opioid pathways. This suggests a need for sex-specific pain therapies to improve outcomes and reduce opioid misuse.

Blocking opioid system with naloxone inhibited meditation-based pain relief in men, but increased it in women. Chronic pain sufferers experienced more relief than healthy participants. Study highlights need for sex-specific pain therapies to improve outcomes and reduce opioid reliance.