We are interested in understanding the transmission and control of pain and how neuronal systems alter in pathophysiological states. To explore our interests we conduct exploratory experiments that seek to molecularly, anatomically  and functionally define descending modulatory pathways in health and chronicity and our subjects range from animals to healthy volunteers to patient populations including those with Parkinson's, IBS/IBD and inflammatory arthritis.    

 

In particular, our back and forward translational studies seek to address 'translational research issues' including: 

1) invalid targets,

2) limitations of currently used methods to assess nociception/pain, 

3) inappropriate patient populations for mechanisms studied 

 

We address these issues by:

1) Defining circuitry in health and pinpointing dysfunction in disease,

2) Backward translating paradigms used to assess pain in humans to the bench,

3) Stratifying patients into appropriate cohorts