Affective Pain

Ultrasound has potential to alter how the brain responds to pain

Personalised care key to easing pain for people with Parkinson’s

New research from the University of South Australia highlights the need for personalized, multidisciplinary and empathetic care for people with Parkinson's disease. Researchers found that gaps in support lead many individuals to rely on trial-and-error approaches to manage their pain, resulting in reduced quality of life.

Two in three people with chronic pain turn to comfort eating

A new study found that 2/3 people with chronic pain reach for comfort foods to cope, offering pleasure, distraction, and relief from negative emotions. However, this can lead to weight gain, which worsens pain and increases health risks.

From injury to agony: Scientists discover brain pathway that turns pain into suffering

Researchers at the Salk Institute have identified a brain circuit that gives physical pain its emotional tone, revealing a potential target for treating chronic and affective pain conditions. The study found that a group of neurons in the thalamus can mediate the emotional side of pain in mice.

Babies can sense pain before they can understand it

A new study found that babies are born with the ability to sense physical pain but lack the cognitive understanding of it. The research, led by UCL researchers, used brain imaging data from infants and adults to map the development of pain-processing networks in the brain.

Not knowing what to expect can make pain feel worse

A new study from Aarhus University shows that uncertainty in pain expectations can increase pain perception. Researchers found that when the brain is unsure about what to expect, it intensifies pain beyond what's necessary. This discovery may help shape more effective ways to manage pain in the future.

Study finds Netflix misses the mark by trivializing teenagers’ pain

Researchers analyzed 60 hours of Netflix content, finding that it often portrays only violent injuries as causing pain, neglecting medical procedures and chronic pain. The study highlights the need for more diverse and inclusive portrayals of pain in media to better support adolescents' experiences.

Debunking pain myths could help teens recover faster

A world-first study from the University of South Australia is providing valuable insights into how young people understand chronic pain, potentially helping thousands of sufferers to better manage their symptoms and long-term wellbeing. Researchers found that young people tend to make sense of chronic pain by explaining it as a softwar...

Activating an amygdala-brainstem pathway relieves pain and improves emotional state in rats

Research found that stimulating a specific brain circuit relieves pain and reduces defensive behaviors in rats, indicating potential physical and psychological relief. The pathway also increases reward and feeding behavior, suggesting improved emotional state.

Researchers identify brain circuitry in rodents that may be responsible for negative emotional aspects of pain

A new study reveals that pain activates a specific region of the brain, which reduces dopamine activity and leads to decreased motivation. Artificially restoring dopamine neurons reverses this effect, suggesting potential treatments for pain-related emotional changes.