German Clinical Research Network on Neuronal Plasticity and learning processes for chronic pain syndromes: assessment, Prevention and Treatment (KFG 107)
Link: www.kfg-schmerz.uni-hd.de
Project III
Mechanisms for acquisition and extinction of pain in chronic pain syndromes: mechanisms, prevention and treatment
Supported by a grant of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG - FL 156/26-3)
Duration: 01.01.2005 to 31.12.2007
Proposer: Prof. Dr. Herta Flor, Prof. Dr. med. Marcus Schiltenwolf, Prof. Dr. med. D. med. h.c. Klaus van Ackern
Subprojects:
1) Operant modification of the BOLD-signal in patients and healthy controls in the fMRT
2) Stress induced hypoalgesia and their mediation (fMRT und EEG)
3) Conditioned stress induced hypoalgesia and their mediation (fMRT und EEG)
4) Analysis of the opioidergic system with PET
5) Identification of a muscle pain model useable in the fMRT
6) Participation at a multi centre study for comparison of extinction training and cannabinoid treatment
7) Participation in a genetic-epidemiological study
Research assistant Central Institute of Mental Health: Dr. Martin Diers, Dipl.-Psych. Pinar Yilmaz
Project description:
In the last years an increasing number of studies demonstrated that long lasting and/or intensive pain induce alterations of the somatosensory map in the cortex. As a result of these changes in the somatosensory map processing and sensation of painful as well as non-painful stimuli from the affected limb are enhanced. These alterations are positively correlated with the chronicity of the pain. This implies that a reduction of the maladaptive reorganization in the cortex most likely could reduce the pain.
Aim of the project is a better understanding of pain intensifying and pain inhibitory learning processes and plastic changes of the brain in chronic pain syndromes of the skeletal musculature (chronic back pain and fibromyalgia).
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