Latest

Pain

Pain Neuroscience news articles cover science research about pain receptors, nociceptors, nociception, sensory neurons, somatosensory cortex, chronic pain, acute pain, nocioceptors, musculoskeletal pain, therapies, phantom limb pain and other pain research.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·December 9, 2024·3 min read

New Target for Chronic Pain Identified

Researchers have identified a natural substance, hederagenin, that blocks the NPFFR1 receptor, a protein involved in pain perception in the brain and spinal cord. NPFFR1 has long been a challenging target due to its similarities to related receptors, but advanced screening and computer modeling revealed its unique binding mode.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·December 9, 2024·4 min read

Healthy Diet Linked to Reduced Chronic Pain

Chronic pain, affecting millions worldwide, may be alleviated by adopting a healthy diet, according to new research. A new study found that eating more vegetables, fruits, grains, lean proteins, and dairy was linked to less pain, especially among women, regardless of body weight.

This shows nerve growth factor receptor TrkA.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·December 6, 2024·7 min read

A Novel Pain Signaling Complex Discovered

Researchers identified a new receptor, neuropilin-1 (NRP1), which collaborates with a known receptor to regulate pain signaling from nerve growth factor. Unlike traditional signaling receptors, NRP1 acts as a co-receptor to enhance pain signals without directly transmitting them. The study showed how blocking NRP1 or disrupting its interaction with nerve growth factor could offer novel approaches to pain treatment.

Featured Neuroscience Pain Psychology

·December 6, 2024·4 min read

Facial Expressions of Pain Are Linked to Distinct Brain Activity

Facial expressions triggered by pain are deeply tied to brain activity, revealing distinct neural mechanisms compared to verbal pain reports. Researchers developed a neurobiological model, using MRI and machine learning, to predict pain-induced facial expressions.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain Psychology

·November 27, 2024·4 min read

Depression Linked to Increased Menstrual Pain

Depression may increase the risk of menstrual pain, or dysmenorrhea, through mechanisms such as sleep disturbances. Using genetic analysis, researchers found that depression likely causes period pain, rather than the reverse, highlighting an underexplored connection between mental and reproductive health. The study suggests that addressing sleep issues and mental health could improve treatment for severe menstrual pain.

Featured Neuroscience Pain Psychology

·November 13, 2024·4 min read

Are Emotional Sounds Universal Across Languages?

A new study examined vocal expressions of emotion across 131 languages, exploring similarities in emotional interjections and comparing them to non-linguistic sounds like cries and laughter. The research aimed to understand whether shared vocal patterns exist globally and if these patterns relate to our evolutionary roots in vocal communication. The team found that vocal expressions of pain, like "Ouch!", showed consistent vowel forms across languages, while disgust and joy did not.

This shows a woman relaxing with headphones on.

Featured Neuroscience Pain Psychology

·October 19, 2024·4 min read

Listening to Music After Surgery Lowers Pain and Anxiety

A new study suggests that listening to music after surgery can significantly reduce pain, anxiety, and even heart rate, aiding recovery. An analysis of 35 studies found that patients who listened to music reported lower pain levels and used less morphine on the first day post-surgery compared to those who didn’t.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Pain

·October 7, 2024·3 min read

Genetic Mapping Unlocks Path to Effective Chronic Pain Relief

Researchers have developed a comprehensive atlas that maps genetic activity in nerve cells linked to chronic pain, offering a potential breakthrough in non-addictive treatments. The study highlights key pain-sensitive nerve cell states, allowing for new therapeutic targets, such as senescent cells. Administering senolytic treatments in mice led to full recovery from pain without side effects, providing hope for chronic pain patients.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·October 3, 2024·4 min read

Chronic Pain Patients Favor Cannabis Legalization

A study found that 71% of adults with chronic pain support federal legalization of medical cannabis, compared to 59% of physicians. The research highlights a gap in attitudes toward cannabis policies between patients and doctors, especially regarding insurance coverage for cannabis treatments.

Featured Neuroscience Pain

·September 24, 2024·3 min read

Dopamine Not Essential for Placebo Effect in Pain Relief

New research reveals that dopamine is not directly responsible for the formation of placebo analgesia, contrary to previous beliefs. In a study with 168 participants, altering dopamine levels did not affect positive treatment expectations or pain relief.

This shows a woman with an orange glow around her head.

Electrophysiology Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·September 23, 2024·5 min read

How the Brain Integrates Pain Expectations and Reality

New research reveals how the brain combines pain expectations with actual pain intensity, offering insights into the brain's pain integration process. Using fMRI, scientists found that while all brain networks store pain information, only higher-level networks integrate pain expectations and stimuli into a cohesive experience.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·September 5, 2024·6 min read

Mindfulness Meditation Reduces Pain More Than Placebo

Mindfulness meditation reduces pain by engaging distinct brain mechanisms, different from the placebo effect. Researchers found that mindfulness meditation was significantly more effective at reducing pain intensity and unpleasantness compared to placebo treatments.

1 2 3 … 25

Pain

New Target for Chronic Pain Identified

Healthy Diet Linked to Reduced Chronic Pain

A Novel Pain Signaling Complex Discovered

Facial Expressions of Pain Are Linked to Distinct Brain Activity

Depression Linked to Increased Menstrual Pain

Are Emotional Sounds Universal Across Languages?

Listening to Music After Surgery Lowers Pain and Anxiety

Genetic Mapping Unlocks Path to Effective Chronic Pain Relief

Chronic Pain Patients Favor Cannabis Legalization

Dopamine Not Essential for Placebo Effect in Pain Relief

How the Brain Integrates Pain Expectations and Reality

Mindfulness Meditation Reduces Pain More Than Placebo

Mapping Brain-to-Spinal Cord Pathways for Motor Control

Rare Brain Cells Offer Clues to Aging and Rejuvenation

Structural Sexism Tied to Faster Memory Decline in Older Women

Chronic Gut Virus May Play a Role in Alzheimer’s Development

Subscribe