Pain Research at Newcastle University

We explore the frontiers of pain to benefit patients

Our work crosses the disciplines of neuroscience, pharmacy, psychology, and clinical research to better understand and treat pain.

Latest news

  • British Orthodontic Society ASM

    Justin was invited to present at this prestigious conference (16th Oct 2024) to discuss the management of TMD and the new guidelines available to help all healthcare professionals with TMD. He also explained some of the latest science behind changes in the mouth and face, pain pathways and central brain changes. His presentation can be…

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  • Team present work at World Endodontic Congress in Glasgow

    The team were well represented, with Professor Justin Durham, Dr Jamie Coulter, and Dr David Edwards presenting their research at the World Endodontic Congress held in in Glasgow in Sept 2024. Click here to access materials from this conference

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  • James Allison’s invited presentation at EAOPD in Brussels

    James was invited to speak at the European Academy of Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction in Brussles in August 2024, on temporomandibular disorders (TMD), fatigue, and the autonomic nervous system. Click here for the materials from this conference. This area of research formed the background to the ongoing Elucidate study which looks at pain in TMD…

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Current projects

  • Sarcopanc Study

    Prospective longitudinal evaluation of Sarcopenia, health-related quality of life and correlation with blood and stool-based microbiome in moderately severe and severe acute pancreatitis.

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  • Investigating the role of the histamine system in chronic pain

    Histamine, acting through all four types of histamine H1-H4 receptors, is arguably the most pleiotropic molecule in the human body. Since the cloning of H3R in 1999, there has been an increased interest within the pharmaceutical industry to discover and develop ligands to this receptor to target several diseases including neuropathic pain. However, while evidence […]

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  • Modulation of pain perception

    Pain is a salient percept that can draw our attention away from our current task so we can deal with potential bodily harm. We are interested in how our thoughts and actions can help us deal with pain, for example by distracting us from a painful stimulus. To address this, we use different tasks to […]

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  • Investigating the role of the kynurenine pathway in irreversible pulpitis

    The kynurenine pathway is responsible for the catabolism of the essential amino acid kynurenine. This pathway has been linked to acute and chronic pain in animal models of viral infections. Research by the team has shown upregulation of this pathway in pulpititis (toothache) and it appears to be pushing the pathway towards neuroinflammation and pain. […]

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  • OldPain2Go

    A randomised pilot virtual feasibility study for a virtual randomized control trial of a novel brief intervention for people with low back pain.

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Our work is funded by