In a breakthrough at the intersection of AI and biotechnology, Rubedo Life Sciences has helped uncover a critical link between senescent neurons—often dubbed “zombie” neurons—and the progression of neuropathic pain and aging. The discovery, made possible through Rubedo’s AI-driven ALEMBIC™ drug discovery platform, was featured on the cover of the May 2025 issue of Nature Neuroscience.
The study marks the first time researchers have demonstrated that neurons can become senescent and directly contribute to chronic pain. This insight opens new therapeutic avenues for age-related pain disorders that have long lacked effective treatments.
AI Drug Discovery Uncovers “Zombie” Neurons
Senescent cells are either damaged or stressed cells that are no longer dividing, but are still alive. These cells continue to secrete inflammatory signals that will ultimately disrupt surrounding tissue. Up until this study, senescent cells have been studied primarily in aging, cancer, and fibrosis. This study confirmed senescent cells are present within neurons involved in chronic pain.
Utilizing open-source code and our proprietary AI tools in ALEMBIC™, Rubedo scientists collaborated with a team led by Dr. Vivianne Tawfik and Dr. Lauren Donovan, based out of Stanford University. The group showed that damage to DRG (dorsal root ganglion) neurons that are key to sensory function and and perception of pain, caused sensory dysfunction related to the senescence of neurons, especially in older animals.
Promising Targets for Chronic Pain Treatment
The findings suggest that clearing these senescent neurons or blocking their inflammatory signals could significantly reduce chronic pain in elderly individuals. In mouse models and human DRG tissue, researchers observed that removing senescent neurons improved pain responses, pointing to them as promising therapeutic targets.
“This study fills a major gap in chronic pain research, especially in aging populations,” said Dr. Tawfik, Associate Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. “Targeting senescent neurons could offer a novel and effective way to manage pain that conventional therapies can’t.”
Rubedo’s Broader Pipeline: Tackling Aging at the Cellular Level
Rubedo Life Sciences, a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Sunnyvale, California, was founded with the mission to develop selective cellular rejuvenation therapies targeting age-related diseases. Leveraging its proprietary AI-powered drug discovery platform ALEMBIC™, Rubedo focuses on identifying and developing small molecules that selectively eliminate harmful senescent cells. These pathologic cells contribute to the progression of multiple conditions, including neurodegenerative, fibrotic, and oncologic disorders.
Conclusion
As the population ages, the burden of chronic pain is expected to grow significantly. This new study—powered by Rubedo’s AI-driven ALEMBIC™ platform—not only deepens our understanding of senescent neurons and their role in aging but also paves the way for next-generation therapies targeting the root causes of pain.
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