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Pain Research Theme: Neurophysiology and Neuropathic Pain

Pain Research Themes

Neuropathic pain is a major class of chronic pain and is defined as pain associated with a disease or lesion of the somatosensory nervous system. A hallmark of neuropathic pain is hypersensitivity of nociceptive (pain) pathways in the peripheral nerve, spinal cord or brain. Understanding the causes of neuropathic pain focuses on understanding the structure, neurobiology and neurophysiology of these pathways, such as the role of ion channels and neuroinflammation  inf peripheral and central sensitization. These insights not only help us to better understand the mechanisms of pain and its transition to chronicity, but can also identify novel  targets for treatment development. 

This work is led by the Neural Injury Group, a collection of research teams working together withing a dedicated experimental space. Key areas of research include:

  • The genetics of neuropathic pain
  • Ion channel regulation of neural function
  • The role of neuro-immune interactions in neuropathy and neuropathic pain
  • Translation from bench to bedside to improve management for people with neuropathic pain
  • The neurobiology of diabetic neuropathy, entrapment neuropathies and inflammatory neuropathies.

The team uses cutting-edge methodology including cellular models based on human pluripotent stem cell –derived sensory neurons and complex mouse transgenic models in combination with molecular biology and electrophysiology. We further specialise in running large patient cohorts including deep clinical phenotyping using e.g., somatosensory profiling, microneurography, electrophysiology and psychosocial profiling. We have an established biobank of patient biosamples (e.g., blood, nerve, skin, dorsal root ganglia) linked to detailed clinical phenotypes.

Oxford researchers working within this theme

  • Neural Injury Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences
  • David Bennett, Professor of Neurology and Neurobiology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences
  • Alexander Davies, UKRI Future Leaders Fellow, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences
  • John Dawes, Associate Professor, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences
  • Annina Schmid, Professor of Pain Neurosciences, Oxford Neuroscience
  • Andreas Themistocleous, MRC Clinician Scientist Fellow, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences

Project webpages: