Identification of pain modulating substances and their associated molecular mechanisms is necessary to understand the pathophysiology behind chronic pain. Our research contributes to the development of a mechanism-based pain diagnoses.
The Painomic research group has a strong track record in the field of musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain research. The research group consisted of a mix of clinical and preclinical researchers that together try to investigate following issues:
- Are there any molecules or a panel of multiple biomarkers that reflect the molecular signature of chronic pain?
- Are there differences in molecular biomarker profile (patterns of proteins, lipids, algesics and inflammation substances) between different chronic pain states, e.g. neuropathic pain, chronic widespread pain and fibromyalgia?
- Does the balance between pain excitatory and inhibitory substances differ between different chronic pain conditions?
- Are there any correlations between levels of spinal and peripheral pain excitatory/pain inhibitory substances and characteristics of pain e.g. duration, intensity, anatomical spreading in the body and signs of central sensitization/hyperexcitability ?