{
  "id": 4982890,
  "title": "Chemotherapy can induce cold pains. How ‘brain circuit’ causing it was found",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/chemotherapy-can-induce-cold-pains-how-brain-circuit-causing-it-was",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-02T01:06:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/cold-allodynia-iisc-brain-circuit-chemotherapy-pain-10858970/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Kolkata-based TCG-CREST have identified the brain circuit responsible for cold allodynia, a side effect of chemotherapy. Cold allodynia is a condition where patients experience pain or discomfort from normal cold temperatures, often caused by platinum-based chemotherapy drugs. The study, published in Cell Reports, reveals that the lateral parabrachial nucleus and parafascicular region of the thalamus in the brain are involved in driving sensory and affective-motivational responses to cold-allodynia. While the nerve damage may heal, the changes in the brain persist, leading to chronic pain. The research team hopes to develop a pharmacological solution and test it on mice to improve human treatment.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Researchers identify brain circuit causing cold allodynia in chemotherapy patients.",
    "Lateral parabrachial nucleus and parafascicular region of thalamus involved.",
    "Changes in brain persist, leading to chronic pain despite nerve damage healing."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}