Imaging pain: a potent means for investigating pain mechanisms in patients.

Lee MC., Tracey I.

Chronic pain is a state of physical suffering strongly associated with feelings of anxiety, depression and despair. Disease pathophysiology, psychological state, and social milieu can influence chronic pain, but can be difficult to diagnose based solely on clinical presentation. Here, we review brain neuroimaging research that is shaping our understanding of pain mechanisms, and consider how such knowledge might lead to useful diagnostic tools for the management of persistent pain in individual patients.

DOI

10.1093/bja/aet174

Type

Journal article

Publication Date

2013-07-01T00:00:00+00:00

Volume

111

Pages

64 - 72

Total pages

8

Keywords

chronic pain, neuroimaging, magnetic resonance imaging, functional, Brain, Chronic Pain, Humans, Neuroimaging

Permalink More information Close