PURPOSE: the Pain Research Network

How can digital tools transform pain management? Join Dr. Laura Wandner for Episode 5 of the Exploring Pain series. Featuring expert insights from: Jennifer Rabbitts, MD Alicia Heapy, PhD Lynn DeBar, PhD 📅 March 17, 2026 ⏰ 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT 🔗 Register: bit.ly/3P2sc7D #PainResearch #DigitalHealth #MedEd #PURPOSE

Vagus nerve fibers do not connect directly to immune cells in the body. But their signals extend into the spleen, causing a specialized population of T cells to release acetylcholine (Lowei's "vagusstoff!") This signals monocytes and macrophages to slow down production of TNF and other cytokines. Just one neuroimmunology example of vagus neural signals arising in the brain, traveling to the body, to regulate immunity. And the tip of the iceberg for countless more neuroimmunology discoveries waiting to be made.

We have officially launched North America’s first Burn Anesthesia Fellowship @Sunnybrook. This is a unique collaboration between @UofTanesthesia and @UofTPRS to train the next generation of Burn Anesthesia providers. academic.oup.com/jbcr/advance-a…

How does the brain decide between pain and survival needs? Nitsan Goldstein, PhD, and Amadeus Maes, PhD, discuss their work on the PBN’s role in need state analgesia and prioritizing survival over persistent pain. Watch on PURPOSE: bit.ly/4cpln9Z #PURPOSE #Neuroscience #ChronicPain

I love this mashup of anesthesia, neurology and psychiatry- honestly didn’t expect to hear life-changing narratives from patients after a getting a nerve block…. Though it’s a pretty unique block

Have you seen the results from the newest REFORM study providing evidence for altered resting-state functional connectivity in migraine?Check out @_RobertaMessina et al.’s study in @GreenJournal, one of @SamNeuroPain’s #PapersoftheWeek #EditorsPick, today bit.ly/4aVZFsJ

How do we bridge the gap between clinical efficacy and real world implementation? Explore Priority H in a new interview with experts Lynn DeBar and Steven Z. George. The discussion unpacks hybrid trials, integrated care pathways, and aligning research with clinical realities. Read the full interview and join the conversation in the forum: #PainResearch" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">bit.ly/4r5zyVk#PainRe… #PragmaticTrials #HEALInitiative

We just published an item response theory analysis of the Geriatric Pain Measure (GPM-24) with a North American sample. Although this unique multi-dimensional tool was specifically designed for older adults, psychometric studies have been limited. sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

@DrSMeints et al. examined the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on attentional performance among patients with fibromyalgia and found attentional performance improved over time, regardless of the treatment group. Learn more in #PainReports bit.ly/3MxZsmq

Drs. Southwell, Belani, Banik, and colleagues analyzed 104 randomized controlled trials to evaluate how peripheral nerve blocks affect postoperative pain and opioid use in adult cardiothoracic surgery. See their findings ➡️ z.umn.edu/b3td

🧠 Bradley K. Taylor, PhD, has been awarded a five-year R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant will support Dr. Taylor's continued investigation into how the brain naturally modulates pain in response to competing survival needs. anesthesiology.pitt.edu/news/dr-brad-t…

@uncneuro Do you happen to stream these lectures?

This week's Neuroscience Center Seminar Series talk will feature two students, Julia Lanfersieck and Ariana Marquez Gonzales. Join us on Thursday, February 26 to hear their talks! Seminar will be in room 1131 Bioinformatics Building at 12:30PM. Details in the listserv.

Ep. 12 of the Pain Cohort Series is live. How does adolescent dysmenorrhea shape chronic pain risk? Laura Payne, PhD explores sensory processing and brain connectivity. Watch: bit.ly/3OsE9TO #PainResearch #HEAL #WomensHealth

@YoniAshar do you have more details that we could share with the PWLE community on PURPOSE?

Got chronic pain? we're looking for a few folks with 20 minutes of time to spare to give feedback on a new study! fully virtually. will ask you to interact with a new online treatment approach and share your thoughts from patient perspective thanks and DM me if interested!

@NIH_NINDS Looking forward to seeing everyone!

The NIH and the NIH HEAL Initiative are excited to invite you to the third semi-annual PURPOSE Meeting, taking place March 22 & 23, 2026. Hybrid – In-person (Loews Philadelphia Hotel) and Online | Registration Required Learn more: bit.ly/4agaZi6

How should pain research be designed to ensure rigor, relevance, and real-world impact? In a new HEAL Research Priorities interview, Kathleen Sluka, PhD discusses the core principles guiding HEAL pain research with Stephani Sutherland, PhD. Read the article and join the discussion: bit.ly/4rkkILH

That’s our paper! Thank you @JNeuromod for the cover!

The next phase of NIH HEAL pain research is coming into focus. A new article series explores the HEAL Strategic Plan and Pain Research Priorities, with added context and insight for the pain research community. Read more: bit.ly/3MmzO3O #PainResearch #HEAL #NIH

The OptiMeth-CRPS methodological framework presents strategies for optimizing the quality of clinical trials of interventions for complex regional pain syndrome as a rare pain condition. Learn more in Smart et al. #PainReports bit.ly/4sYC02a