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Pain
Sensory
transduction
We are investigating the mechanisms by which damaging or
potentially damaging stimuli activate the sensory nerves (nociceptors)
responsible for signalling painful stimuli at the body surface.
Inflammation
and pain signalling
We are investigating how substances released in inflamed
tissues sensitize the sensory nerves (nociceptors) responsible
for signalling pain, causing them to discharge action potentials
more readily. This change is the major cause of pain associated
with inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
Neuropathic
pain including sympathetic pain
Neuropathic pain follows injury to the nervous system but
is not associated with the site of injury itself. In some
patients, this form of chronic pain is aggravated when sympathetic
activity is increased, e.g. in cold weather, in stressful
conditions. We are investigating inflammatory responses at
sites far from the lesion to see if these might provide an
explanation of why this type of pain occurs.
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