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
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Emma Beecroft invited to present In Naples, Italy at the 38th International AIGeDO Congress.
Emma Beecroft was invited to speak in Naples, Italy, at the 38th International AIGeDO Congress on 10th October 2025. One of the core mission statements of the Italian Association for Gnathology and Orofacial Pain (AIGeDO) is to enhance practitioner expertise and patient care in this specialized field, making Emma’s invitation to present alongside eminent international…
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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
Current projects
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FacE-PD- Facial pain Experience in Parkinson’s Disease
This study aims to understand the types of pain affecting the face, head and mouth regions in people with Parkinson’s disease. Most people living with Parkinson’s disease experience pain, and this pain is often not well managed. Pain acts as the body’s warning system, signalling that something may be wrong so that the area can be protected and given time to heal. Pain in the head, face, and mouth area (known as orofacial pain) is often felt more intensely than pain elsewhere in the body. This stronger reaction encourages greater protection of an area, which contain structures vital for survival,…
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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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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 measure how cognition and emotion reduce the pain intensity people feel in response to a painful stimulus. We also investigate brain mechanisms underlying pain perception, particularly in individuals who suffer from persistent chronic pain, and use different stimulation methods that may help modulate pain intensity.
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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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EXTIRPATE study: Irreversible Pulpitis
Dental pain mechanisms remain poorly understood. Outcomes from current approaches to managing acute dental pain are suboptimal. EXTIRPATE focusses on developing a biological model to better understand peripheral and central pain mechanisms, explore the effect of current approaches on these mechanisms and investigate new treatment approaches.
Our work is funded by
