What drives the pain? Exploring the peripheral component in models of central sensitisation

Project Code

NMH27Br Dunham

Project Type

Wet lab

Research Theme

Neuroscience and Mental Health

Project Summary Download

Summary

Chronic primary pain affects 8 million UK adults, but we still do not understand what drives pain when there is no identifiable injury or disease. Most research has focused on changes in the spinal cord and brain, but emerging evidence suggests that peripheral ‘pain’ nerves may also become sensitised and overactive. During this PhD, you will learn microneurography, a rare technique that records directly from individual human pain nerves. You will investigate how pain nerves change during experimental pain models and whether similar changes occur in patients with fibromyalgia, challenging current theories and identifying mechanisms that could inform better treatments.

Can the project be completed part time?

Yes

Lead Supervisor

Dr Jim Dunham

Lead Supervisor Email

james.p.dunham@bristol.ac.uk

University Affiliation

University of Bristol

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