Academic interests; pain mechanisms and genetics
Most long lasting pain states start with some sort of peripheral inflammation leading to activation of nociceptive primary afferent nerve fibers. However, our data suggest that long lasting pain also may be associated with functional changes in the pain pathways or brain leading to pain hypersensitivity. Hence, the experience of long lasting pain may be caused by neuroplastic characteristics within the CNS as well. Moreover, our findings show that the development of for example chronic low back pain and sciatica is related to genetic variability. Better understanding of the mechanisms underlying these neurobiological features may be important for future management of persistent pain conditions.