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Welcome

The Arthritis Research UK Pain Centre at the University of Nottingham investigates the mechanisms that lead to the chronic pain experienced by sufferers of arthritis, in order to improve the treatment of that pain.

Who we are

Following the completion of our first five years, we are now three years into a further five years after receiving additional funding from Arthritis Research UK.

The Director of the Centre is David Walsh, Professor in Rheumatology, and the Deputy Director is Professor Victoria Chapman.

See the full list of Pain Centre members.

Research

Our mission is to pursue international excellence in multidisciplinary, translational research, thereby enhancing understanding of arthritis pain and improving its treatment.

Research is undertaken by a multidisciplinary team based in the Schools of Medicine and Life Sciences. The team, led by Professors Walsh, Chapman, Auer, Doherty, Donaldson, Scammell, Vedhara, Ferguson and Zhang as well as Dr Valdes, bring together expertise in the investigation of pain mechanisms and the evaluation and development of existing and new analgesics.

Psychological aspects, including patients’ beliefs about their pain are being studied alongside magnetic resonance imaging of brain activity. Studies of the peripheral, spinal and brain mechanisms contributing to arthritis pain is increasing our understanding and pointing the way to the potential of novel treatment targets.

Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Musculoskeletal Health and Pain in Ageing and Wellbeing

The new Centre for Doctoral Training in Musculoskeletal Health and Pain in Ageing and Wellbeing (CDT MHPAW) provides PhD training for clinical and non-clinical scientists. The CDT MHPAW is delivered and managed collaboratively by three Nottingham centres of research excellence; the Arthritis Research UK Pain Centre, the MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre of Musculoskeletal Ageing Research and the Arthritis Research UK Centre for Sport, Exercise and Osteoarthritis. Further information.

International Association for Study of Pain (IASP)

World Congress on Pain is returning to North America in 2018. Further information can be found here.

Clinical advice

Unfortunately, the centre is unable to provide clinical advice for the treatment of arthritis and would suggest you contact your doctor.

Further information and support regarding arthritis can be found via the Arthritis Care website.

Publications

"Bidirectional association between disturbed sleep and neuropathic pain symptoms: a prospective cohort study in post-total joint replacement participants" Journal of Pain Research, June 2018. Video abstract. Further details.

"Prevalence of chronic pain in the UK: a systematic review and meta-analysis of population studies" BMJ article featured in the National Press, June 2016. Further details

WONDER 2017 - A community event to amaze and inspire curious minds

The Pain Centre was represented at this community event on 17 June 2017. View photos.

News

Celebration of Inspirational Women at the University of Nottingham Many congratulations to the founding member of the Pain Centre, Brigitte Scammell, who has been honoured with having her portrait taken along with other inspiring women that have a connection to Nottingham and the University. The portraits can be seen in the University's Senate Chamber in the Trent Building. Further information

“Nottingham BRC Musculoskeletal Theme’s Vision for the Future" Leaders of the Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre Musculoskeletal (MSK) theme, have been explaining their ambitions for new ground-breaking research. For more on the vision of the Nottingham BRC MSK Theme see the latest edition of the Nottingham BRC newsletter: click here