Neural Imaging Laboratory - Honours in 2009

An Honours project undertaken in this lab would be administered by the Discipline of Anatomy & Histology.

Brain changes associated with chronic pain in humans

Supervisor + contact details:

• Dr Luke Henderson

The major aim of the laboratory is to define the brain circuitry underlying acute and chronic pain in humans. We are particularly interested in defining the anatomical and functional brain changes associated with chronic pain following spinal cord injury and peripheral nerve injury in humans.

In collaboration with Professor Philip Siddall at the Pain Management Research Institute at RNSH we are using state-of-the-art human magnetic resonance imaging techniques to explore anatomical and functional changes that occur in patients with pain following spinal cord injury.

In collaboration with Professors Greg Murray and Chris Peck at the Orofacial Pain clinic at Westmead hospital we are exploring long-term brain changes in patients with various forms of orofacial chronic pain.

Finally, in collaboration with Professor Vaughan Macefield at UWS we are defining the brain circuitry responsible for acute skin and muscle pain in healthy individuals.