Jo Cameron often did not notice cuts or burns until she could smell burning flesh
The pensioner only found out when she was 65 and sought treatment for an issue with her hip, which turned out to involve severe joint degeneration, although she had experienced no pain.
Scientists there conducted genetic analyses and found two notable mutations, one being a "micro-deletion", or a tiny bit missing, in a pseudo-gene, which do not have the full functionality of regular genes. Scientists have found that mice that do not have the FAAH gene have reduced pain sensation, accelerated wound healing, enhanced fear-extinction memory and reduced anxiety.She said that throughout her life she often did not notice cuts or burns until she could smell burning flesh and the injuries tended to heal very quickly.
She said: "I had no idea until a few years ago that there was anything that unusual about how little pain I feel - I just thought it was normal. Learning about it now fascinates me as much as it does anyone else.Dr James Cox of UCL Medicine, one of the lead authors of the paper, said: "We found this woman has a particular genotype that reduces activity of a gene already considered to be a possible target for pain and anxiety treatments.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Woman (23) arrested in connection with fatal shooting of fitness instructor in DublinFitness instructor John Gibson was shot a number of times in a car park at Fortunestown Lane near Citywest Village Shopping Centre on 18 September 2017.
Read more »
Red Cross may help get Dundalk woman Lisa Smith out of SyriaAlleged Isis supporter is being held under armed guard in part of Al-Hawl camp
Read more »
Woman arrested in relation to fatal 2017 shootingJohn Gibson, 28, was shot dead as he sat in his car at the CityWest Shopping Centre on 18 September 2017
Read more »
Tributes paid to Irish mum and baby who died in tragic hospital incidentTributes paid to tragic mum Marie Downey and newborn baby Darragh who died in tragic Cork hospital incident
Read more »