Event overview
Dr Matthew Howard, Kings College London, will present his research on How can neuroimaging impact on the development of new treatments for pain?
Abstract
This talk outlines the application of novel imaging approaches to understanding endogenous pain control mechanisms and informing therapeutics development. First, we review recent progress in the development of spinal cord fMRI methodologies, describing how their application has provided new understanding of descending pain modulatory systems in humans. Next, we describe the promise of integrating molecular and fMRI data to elucidate the complex neurobiological processes underlying pain modulation, showing their utility in predicting treatment responses. Finally, we outline a vision for the inclusion of neuroimaging readouts in the development of composite biomarkers for pain research.
Biography
Dr Matt Howard is a senior lecturer and leader of the pain research section at the Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London. His research focuses upon understanding the mechanisms in the brain and spinal cord that underpin acute and chronic pain states in humans. He is interested in the development of neuroimaging-based markers of pain experiences as adjuncts to conventional psychometric and psychophysical readouts. His current work examines whether such markers may be exploited to stratify heterogeneous groups of pain patients and provide indications of likely treatment responses.
Matt is grateful to have received funding from a variety of charitable, research council and industrial sources, most recently including the Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health Research.
Dates & times
Date | Time | Add to calendar |
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25 Jan 2024 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm |
Accessibility
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