Browse by Audience
Pain is a complex perceptual phenomenon. Coordinated activity among local and distant brain networks is a central element of the neural underpinnings of pain. Brain oscillatory rhythms across diverse frequency ranges provide a functional substrate for coordinating activity across local neuronal ensembles and anatomically distant brain areas in pain networks. This review addresses parallels between insights from human and rodent analyses of oscillatory rhythms in acute and chronic pain and discusses recent rodent-based studies that have shed light on mechanistic underpinnings of brain oscillatory dynamics in pain-related behaviors. We highlight the potential for therapeutic modulation of oscillatory rhythms, and identify outstanding questions and challenges to be addressed in future research.
Learn More >Randomized clinical trials (RCT) suggest a multidisciplinary approach to pain rehabilitation is superior to other active treatments in improving pain intensity, function, disability, and pain interference for patients with chronic pain, with small effect size (ds= 0.20-0.36) but its effectiveness remains unknown in real-world practice.
Learn More >The angiotensin II type 2 receptor (ATR) has attracted much attention as a potential target for the relief of neuropathic pain, which represents an area of unmet clinical need. A series of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines with a benzoxazole side-chain were discovered as potent ATR antagonists. Rational optimization resulted in compound , which demonstrated both excellent antagonistic activity against ATR and analgesic efficacy in a rat chronic constriction injury model. Its favorable physicochemical properties and oral bioavailability make it a promising therapeutic candidate for neuropathic pain.
Learn More >Research suggests that partner relationship quality influences the psychological well-being of individuals with chronic pain, but the specific components of the relationship involved remain understudied. This study examined which dimensions of relationship adjustment influence the depressive and anxiety symptoms reported by the partner with chronic pain. A community sample of 214 adults in a romantic relationship for at least a year were recruited. Participants completed online questionnaires assessing pain characteristics (pain duration, pain intensity), relationship characteristics (marital status, duration of relationship), quality of relationship (dyadic adjustment, conjugal support) and emotional state (symptoms of depression and anxiety). Overall, participants reported well-adjusted relationships with their partners and higher levels of dyadic adjustment and conjugal support were associated with reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. Most importantly, dyadic consensus, marital status, and pain intensity revealed to be predictive of depressive symptoms, whereas dyadic consensus and pain intensity were predictive of anxiety symptoms. These findings highlight the need to consider the interpersonal functioning of this population to enhance their psychological well-being.
Learn More >