Pain
The University of Minnesota is one of the leading centers
for pain research in the world. There are twelve neuroscientists
whose research is focused on pain transmission, hyperalgesia,
and endogenous pain inhibitory systems. Studies of pain
transmission include mapping anatomically and physiologically
sensory pathways in the spinal cord and brain. In studies
of hyperalgesia, effects of injury and inflammation on
the physiology and biochemistry of nociceptive neurons
located in the peripheral and central nervous system are
being determined. The anatomical organization of endogenous
analgesic systems that originate in the brain and control
nociceptive transmission in the spinal cord, and regulation
of their receptors, are also being studied. A wide variety
of techniques is used by the group, including molecular
biology, electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, animal
behavior, human psychophysics, and neuroimaging. In addition,
many of the basic scientists interact with clinical faculty
who specialize in pain management and are actively involved
in clinical studies that help bridge the gap between basic
and clinical sciences.
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