The last decade has seen much progress in understanding the mechanisms of pain, and advances in basic science have seen translational research leading to volunteer studies and clinical trials. Despite this drawing together of molecules and maladies, the basic science can appear overly complex and impenetrable for clinicians.

This book aims to cover key topical molecular, anatomical, physiological, and pharmacological studies on the basic science in a straightforward and accessible manner for all medical and allied professionals with an interest in pain. The book is dedicated to Jean-Marie Besson, who has always attempted to further dialogue between clinicians and basic scientists.

Part I: Nociceptive Inputs to the Dorsal Horn

Molecular Mechanisms of Noxious Mechanosensation. Liam J. Drew and John N. Wood

Thermal Sensitivity of Sensory Neurons. Martin Koltzenburg

Peripheral Mechanisms of Allodynia and Other Forms of Hyperalgesia in Human Skin. Hermann O. Handwerker and Martin Schmelz

Part II: Dorsal Horn Plasticity following Injury

Molecular Approaches to the Study of Pain. Stephen P. Hunt

Balancing Excitations and Inhibitions in Spinal Circuits. Anthony H. Dickenson, Rie Suzuki,
Elisabeth A. Matthews, Wahida Rahman, Catherine Urch, Lucinda Seagrove, and Lars Rygh

Brainstem Modulation of Pain after Inflammation. Ronald Dubner and Ke Ren

Part III: Anatomical and Functional Organization of Ascending Pain Pathways

Molecular Approaches to Understanding the Anatomical Substrates of Nociceptive Processing. Allan I. Basbaum

Brainstem and Pain: A Complementary Role with Regard to the Thalamus? Jean-François Bernard and Caroline Gauriau

Spinothalamocortical Processing of Pain. William D. Willis, Jr.

Forebrain Responses in Normal and Pathological Pain States: Implications for Therapy. Kenneth L. Casey, Thomas J. Morrow, and Jürgen Lorenz

Part IV: Endogenous Modulatory Systems: Their Role in Analgesia and Pain

The Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System in Pain Processing. Ralf Baron and Wilfrid Jänig

Sensitization of Trigeminovascular Neurons and Migraine Therapy with Triptans. Rami Burstein, Itay Goor-Aryeh, and Moshe Jakubowski

Endogenous Central Mechanisms of Pain Modulation. Luis Villanueva and Howard L. Fields

Part V: Novel Therapeutic Strategies: Preclinical and Clinical Approaches

Can the Evaluation of Drugs in Animal Pain Models Reliably Predict the Ability to Produce Clinical Analgesia? Raymond G. Hill

Bone Cancer Pain: Mechanisms and Potential Therapies. Patrick W. Mantyh

Neuropathic Pain: Sensory Loss, Hypersensitivity, and Spread of Pain. Troels S. Jensen and Nanna Finnerup

Novel Strategies for Neuropathic Pain. Didier Bouhassira and Nadine Attal

Novel Strategies for Modern Neurosurgery. Jean-Paul Nguyen, Jean-Paul Lefaucheur, K. Moubarak, Pierre Cesaro, S. Palfi, and Yves Keravel

Pain Matters: A Clinical Viewpoint. Henry J. McQuay

Reviews

"Although this book is by no means a primer, nonetheless it contains a huge amount of useful information for the pain clinician by renowned basic scientists. The book is worthwhile for the final section alone and the interested clinician can pick and chose from the rest, depending on need. As is usual for IASP publications, it is good value for the money."
C. Peter N. Watson in Pain Research & Management, Vol. 11, No. 1, Spring 2006

"An excellent source of information on the topics of interest to a group of outstanding scientists."
John D. Loeser, MD, in APS Bulletin, Spring 2005

"The subtitle of the book 'A Primer for Clinicians' should not be taken to indicate any lack of depth in this short volume. Instead, the subject matter is dealt with in a very rigorous manner, which the diligent reader may find most rewarding. [...] Interestingly the last chapter 'Pain Matters: A Clinical Viewpoint' by Henry McQuay, Oxford warns against the dangers of the clinician and the scientist drifting ever further apart. I believe that this compact book is an effective measure to avoid such drifts between clinicians and scientists. I am sure that any clinician or scientist involved in the study of nociception or the practice of pain medicine could find something of value in this monograph and that it will find its place wherever pain relief is delivered by clinicians to patients."
I. Power in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, 96 (3): 408-9 (2006)