IASP Pain Research Forum Podcasts

The Keystone Mechanism Theory of Pain

On 23 August 2023, Brain, Behavior, and Immunity published the article, “Beyond Biopsychosocial: The Keystone Mechanism Theory of Pain.” In this article, researchers from the United Kingdom and Germany propose the keystone model of pain, which offers a practical balance between the expansive biopsychosocial model of pain and other reductive approaches by providing advantages for the transition from treating at the population level to that of individual people. In this episode of the IASP-P...

Power Over Pain

This episode of the IASP-PRF Podcast highlights an emerging resource for adults and youths with the lived experience of pain called the Power Over Pain Portal. The Power Over Pain Portal works toward improving access to chronic pain care by providing access to free resources in a “one-stop shop,” including articles, videos, podcasts, courses, workshops, peer support, and even 24/7 one-on-one counseling – offered through Wellness Together Canada. While initiated and designed by a consortium o...

The Pain Beat (Episode 16) – A2CPS: Acute to Chronic Pain Signatures

This 16th episode of The Pain Beat highlights the work of a vibrant consortium of pain researchers working on a project known as Acute to Chronic Pain Signatures (A2CPS). A2CPS is focused on the identification of biomarkers to predict which patients will transition from acute to chronic pain, and which patients living with chronic pain can improve their quality of life with management (see related PRF news story). The Pain Beat invited several Primary Investigators from A2CPS to talk about...

A New Approach to an Old Target: A Podcast with Rajesh Khanna

Editor’s note: The North American Pain School (NAPS) took place 19-24 June 2022, in Montebello, Québec City, Canada. NAPS – an educational initiative of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) and Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations, Innovations, Opportunities, and Networks (ACTTION), and presented by the Quebec Pain Research Network (QPRN) – brings together leading experts in pain research and management to provide trainees with scientific edu...

The Pain Beat (Episode 15) – Nobel Prize: Somatosensation and Stories

This 15th episode of The Pain Beat is the third and final of a three-part series discussing the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine – awarded to David Julius, University of California, San Francisco, USA and Ardem Patapoutian, Scripps Research, California, USA – for their work on molecules important for somatosensation (see PRF related interview here, PRF related news story here, part one of this series here, and part two of this series here). In this episode, The Pain Beat spoke ...

From the Pipette to the Public: A Podcast with Staja “Star” Booker

Editor’s note: For the past 21 years, September has been declared Pain Awareness Month in the United States. During this time, we reflect on the global burden of pain and assess ways to increase engagement, awareness, and advocacy regarding this issue. While September has concluded, we should continue to engage in these vital practices! For a unique perspective on the challenges of raising pain awareness, PRF spoke with Staja “Star” Booker, PhD, RN. Star is an Assistant Professor in the Pa...

The Pain Beat (Episode 14) – Nobel Prize: A Conversation with Ardem Patapoutian and Bertrand Coste

This 14th episode of The Pain Beat is the second of a three-part series discussing the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine – awarded to David Julius, University of California, San Francisco, USA and Ardem Patapoutian, Scripps Research, California, USA – for their work on molecules important for somatosensation (see PRF related interview here, PRF related news story here, and part one of this series here). In this episode, The Pain Beat spoke with Nobel Prize laureate Ardem Patapout...

The Pain Beat (Episode 13) – Nobel Prize: A Conversation with David Julius and Michael Caterina

This 13th episode of The Pain Beat is the first of a three-part series discussing the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine – awarded to David Julius, University of California, San Francisco, USA and Ardem Patapoutian, Scripps Research, California, USA – for their work on molecules important for somatosensation (see PRF related interview here, and PRF related news story here). In this episode, The Pain Beat spoke with Nobel Prize laureate David Julius and Michael Caterina, Johns Hopki...

Effect of Graded Sensorimotor Retraining in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

Editor’s note: On 2 August 2022, JAMA (the Journal of the American Medical Association) published the article, “Effect of Graded Sensorimotor Retraining on Pain Intensity in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” This trial, which included 276 participants, sought to estimate the effect of a sensorimotor retraining intervention (RESOLVE) on pain intensity in people with chronic low back pain. In the podcast below, several of this study’s researchers speak with PRF...

Engaging with Our Patient Partners in a Meaningful Way to Enhance Chronic Pain Research and Academia – Part 2: A Podcast with Sarah D’Angelo

Senior Manager’s note: Sarah D’Angelo is a passionate advocate for patient education and increasing empathy among caretakers, care providers, and the general public for chronic pain. She uses her skills as an artist, writer, and scientist as a way to bring visibility to the invisible and complex processes of pain. As a pain patient herself, she has first-hand experience with the difficulties of dealing with pain on a daily basis. She talks openly about some of her experiences and struggles i...

Engaging With Our Patient Partners in a Meaningful Way to Enhance Chronic Pain Research and Academia – Part 1: A Podcast with Emeralda Burke

Senior Manager’s note: Emeralda Burke is a health researcher, patient advocate, and a person with lived experience. In 2013, she moved from Ireland to Toronto, Canada, after completing a degree in medicinal chemistry. One year later, she was struck as a pedestrian by a stolen car and now lives with chronic pain. She quickly realized how prevalent, underfunded, and underserviced chronic pain can be in Canada. Emeralda shifted to pain research with a special interest in patient education, self-...

The Pain Beat (Episode 11) - Evolution of Nociceptors

For its eleventh episode, The Pain Beat brought together experts to discuss the biological evolution of nociceptors, their subtypes, and plasticity as part of the Gulf Coast Consortium’s #Pain2021 Webinar Series. These experts study nociceptors across a variety of animal models, including Drosophila, C. elegans, cephalopods, rodents, and humans. The discussion focused on how an evolutionary perspective brings novel insights into the role and function of nociceptors and if, why, and how organ...

Defining Descending Control Pathways: A Podcast with Kirsty Bannister

Senior Manager’s note: Kirsty Bannister, PhD, is an Associate Professor at King’s College London, UK, and recently awarded the Patrick D. Wall Young Investigator Prize for Basic Science from the IASP. This prize recognizes an individual who has achieved a high level of independence as an outstanding scholar in the field of pain in basic science. Bannister focuses on bench-to-bedside pain research by conducting exploratory experiments that seek to define descending control pathways molecularl...

The Pain Beat (Episode 10) - Pain Research During the Pandemic and Beyond

For its tenth episode, The Pain Beat brought together guests from a variety of career stages to share their experiences conducting pain and pain-related research during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their discussion highlighted unique and shared experiences, how research priorities and strategies shifted in response to the pandemic, as well as ways in which colleagues found and offered support.     Podcast participants include: Theanne Griffith, PhD, University of California, Davis, US Kelly Smi...

The Pain Beat (Episode 9) – How is Pain Measured if it is Subjective?

For its ninth episode, The Pain Beat brought together experts in how pain is measured clinically and experimentally. This multidisciplinary group discussed what is the difference between pain and nociception, why organisms experience pain and whether pain can be objectively measured since it is a subjective experience. Additionally, the group explored why researchers have relied on the measurement of nociception for so long and offer paths forward for the research community including a discus...

The Pain Beat (Episode 8) – Studying and Understanding Sex Differences in Pain: The How and the Why

For its eighth episode, The Pain Beat gathered together a group of pain researchers with expertise in the study of sex differences in pain. The group discussed their own discoveries of sex differences in pain in the course of their research, why pain investigators should pay attention to sex differences and how they should go about examining them, and much more. Podcast participants include: Gregory Dussor, PhD, University of Texas at Dallas, US Jeffrey Mogil, PhD, McGill University, Mont...

Gold Nuggets on Pain: A Podcast with Marshall Devor

Editor’s note: IASP will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. Even though the anniversary is still a few years away, it already has us thinking about the history of IASP and the evolution of pain research over the past five decades. So, we are providing a series of podcasts that will cover both of those topics, featuring senior leaders in the field who have made major contributions to pain research and care, including those with major roles at IASP. Our latest such podcast Marshall...

“An Amazingly Common and Disabling Disorder”: Talking Migraine With Gregory Dussor

Editor’s note: Gregory Dussor, PhD, is Associate Professor and Eugene McDermott Endowed Fellow in the Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas. The focus of his work is the understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic headache disorders such as migraine, using a variety of preclinical models. In this podcast, Dr. Dussor speaks with PRF Correspondent Sarah D'Angelo, who recently graduated with a BS in biology from Rutgers Unive...

Improving Nerve Repair and Pain: A Podcast With Fiona Boissonade

Editor’s note: Fiona Boissonade, PhD, is Professor of Neuroscience and Director of Impact and External Engagement at the University of Sheffield School of Clinical Dentistry, UK. She is also an executive member of the University of Sheffield Neuroscience Institute and leads the Institute’s “Technology: Devices and autonomous systems” cross-cutting theme. Dr. Boissonade has a major research interest in the mechanisms of altered neuronal excitability that contribute to the development of chr...

Beyond Academia: A Podcast on Alternative Career Paths for Pain Researchers

Is there life beyond academia for pain researchers? That question is the focus of PRF's latest podcast – and the answer is a resounding “yes”! This optimistic outlook comes from four podcast participants who all successfully made the transition from studying pain in the ivory tower to alternative careers, including: --Alexandria Magnusdottir, PhD, Trainee Solicitor in Patent Litigation, Bristows, UK --Steve Medhurst, PhD, UK Head of Field Medical Excellence, Novartis UK --Candler Paige...

The Pain Beat (Episode 8) – Studying and Understanding Sex Differences in Pain: The How and the Why

For its eighth episode, The Pain Beat gathered together a group of pain researchers with expertise in the study of sex differences in pain. The group discussed their own discoveries of sex differences in pain in the course of their research, why pain investigators should pay attention to sex differences and how they should go about examining them, and much more. Podcast participants include: Gregory Dussor, PhD, University of Texas at Dallas, US Jeffrey Mogil, PhD, McGill University, Mo...

Understanding Diabetic Neuropathy: A Podcast With Eva Feldman

Eva Feldman, MD, PhD, is a physician-scientist at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, US. She is Director of the University of Michigan ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) Center of Excellence. She also runs her own laboratory, the NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, where she has devoted her career to the study of neurological diseases, with an emphasis on ALS and neuropathies, including diabetic neuropathy. In the podcast below, Dr. Feldman speaks with PRF Correspondent Sara Hakim, ...

A Journey in the Field of Pain Psychology: A Podcast with Judith Turner

Editor’s note: IASP will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. Even though the anniversary is still a few years away, it already has us thinking about the history of IASP and the evolution of pain research over the past five decades. So, we are providing a series of podcasts that will cover both of those topics, featuring senior leaders in the field who have made major contributions to pain research and care, including those with major roles at IASP. Our latest such podcast features...

A Tour Through the History of Orofacial Pain Research: A Podcast with Barry Sessle

Editor’s note: IASP will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. Even though the anniversary is still a few years away, it already has us thinking about the history of IASP and the evolution of pain research over the past five decades. So, we are providing a series of podcasts that will cover both of those topics, featuring senior leaders in the field who have made major contributions to pain research and care, including those with major roles at IASP. Our latest such podcast features...

The Pain Beat (Episode 7) – Brain Imaging of Pain in People: What Have We Learned? Where Are We Going?

For its seventh episode, The Pain Beat gathered together an international group of pain researchers to discuss brain imaging of pain in humans. The podcast focuses on how studies of expectation and the placebo effect have advanced our understanding in this area. What we've learned so far, whether pain brain imaging can be used as a diagnostic tool, and future prospects for neuroimaging are all addressed in this lively discussion. Podcast participants include: Christian Büchel, MD, Univers...

The Pain Beat (Episode 6) - Communicating Science in an Empathic and Inclusive Way: Why – and How – Should Pain Researchers Do It?

For its sixth episode, The Pain Beat gathered together an international group of pain researchers, science communicators and civic science advocates to discuss what effective, empathic and inclusive science communication looks like. Specific questions discussed in the podcast include: What are the major challenges chronic pain research faces in different parts of the world? How can we address those challenges using a different and more audacious approach? What have we learned about the genera...

The Pain Beat (Episode 6): Communicating Science in an Empathic and Inclusive Way: Why – and How – Should Pain Researchers Do It?

For its sixth episode, The Pain Beat gathered together an international group of pain researchers, science communicators and civic science advocates to discuss what effective, empathic and inclusive science communication looks like. Specific questions discussed in the podcast include: What are the major challenges chronic pain research faces in different parts of the world? How can we address those challenges using a different and more audacious approach? What have we learned about the gener...

The Pain Beat (Episode 5) – The Coding of Sensory Information: Population Coding or Labeled Lines?

For its fifth episode, The Pain Beat gathered together a group of pain researchers virtually to discuss how the mammalian nervous system encodes sensory modalities related to touch, pain and temperature. Are there labeled lines? Is there population coding? Do the mechanisms differ by location – the brain, spinal cord or periphery? Podcast participants include: Diana Bautista, PhD, UC Berkeley, US Nicholas Betley, PhD, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, US Adam Hantman, PhD, How...

The Pain Beat (Episode 4) – The Use of Human Tissue in Pain Research: Where Are We Now, and Where Are We Going?

For its fourth episode, The Pain Beat gathered together a group of pain researchers via Zoom to discuss the use of human tissue in pain research and prospects for clinical translation of new knowledge emerging from this approach. Podcast participants include: Steve Davidson, PhD, University of Cincinnati, US Michael Hildebrand, PhD, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada Clifford Woolf, MB, BCh, PhD, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, US Laura Stone, PhD, Univ...

The Pain Beat (Episode 3) – The Transition from Acute to Chronic Pain

For its third episode, The Pain Beat gathered a group of pain researchers together to discuss ideas and issues related to the transition from acute to chronic pain. Podcast participants include: A. Vania Apkarian, PhD, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, US Annemieke Kavelaars, PhD, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, US Arkady Khoutorsky, PhD, DVM, McGill University, Montreal, Canada Anne Louise Oaklander, MD, PhD, Harvard Medical School...

The Pain Beat (Episode 2) – Optogenetics and Chemogenetics for Pain Treatment: How Feasible Are They? How Effective Could They Be?

For its second episode, The Pain Beat gathered together a group of pain researchers in Keystone, Colorado, US, where two joint Keystone Symposia, Somatosensation: From Detection to Perception and Pain: Aligning the Target, were being held from February 2-5, 2020. The podcast participants include: Allan Basbaum, University of California San Francisco, US Robert Gereau, Washington University School of Medicine, US Yarimar Carrasquillo, National Institutes of Health, US Stephani Sutherla...

The Pain Beat (Episode 1) – Pain Targets: Molecules? Cells? Circuits? Systems?

Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Pain Beat, The IASP Pain Research Forum's new monthly podcast series! Supported by a generous grant from The MAYDAY Fund, The Pain Beat brings together the world’s leading pain investigators in order to spark dialogue and debate around important ideas in pain research. Guided by Rebecca Seal, Scientific Director of The Pain Beat, these podcasts feature open and spirited discussion about the hottest topics in pain and how the field moves forward from he...

Putting Pain Psychology Front and Center: A Podcast with Amanda Williams

In this podcast in honor of IASP's 50th anniversary in 2024, Amanda C de C Williams, PhD, discusses her path to pain psychology, what she wants people with pain to know, the evolutionary perspective on pain, and much more.

How Should We Define Pain Terms? Is Chronic Pain Adaptive? And What About That Disco Funk Band? A Wide-Ranging Podcast with Jeffrey Mogil

Jeffrey Mogil, PhD, is the E. P. Taylor Professor of Pain Studies and the Canada Research Chair in the Genetics of Pain at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He has made seminal contributions to the field of pain genetics, sex differences in pain and analgesia, and pain testing methods in the laboratory mouse. In the podcast below, Dr. Mogil speaks with PRF Correspondent Oakley Morgan, a PhD student at University College London, UK, to discuss the definition of terms in the pain field, ...

A Deep Dive into the Fear-Avoidance Model of Pain: A Podcast with Johan Vlaeyen

In this podcast in honor of IASP's 50th anniversary in 2024, Dr. Johan W.S. Vlaeyen, PhD, discusses his career and contributions to the development of the fear-avoidance model of pain.

The Importance of Translational Research and Multidisciplinary Pain Care: A Podcast with Eija Kalso

In this podcast in honor of IASP's 50th anniversary in 2024, Dr. Eija Kalso discusses her career in the pain field, multidisciplinary pain care, translational research, and her involvement with IASP.

Understanding Spinal Cord Injury Pain and How Exercise Affects It: A Podcast with Megan Detloff

This podcast features Megan Detloff, PhD, who is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy and the Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center at Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, US. Detloff studies how rehabilitative exercise affects the molecular underpinnings that contribute to chronic pain development after spinal cord injury, among other interests.  In this podcast, Detloff speaks with PRF Correspondent Courtney Bannerman, a PhD student at ...

Children’s Pain: Making It Matter, Understood, Visible, and Better

Pediatric pain is under-recognized and under-treated throughout the world. Recently, a Lancet Child & Adolescent Commission was formed to address this critical problem. In this PRF podcast, three co-authors on the Commission meet virtually with PRF Correspondent Wendy Gaultney to discuss the origins of the Commission’s work, the problem of pediatric pain, and the way forward to improve the lives of children and adolescents with pain. Podcast participants include: Paula Forgeron, RN, MN, PhD...

Pain in Parkinson’s Disease – A Podcast With Ray Chaudhuri and Yazead Buhidma

This podcast features K. Ray Chaudhuri, MD, DSc, Professor of Movement Disorders and Neurology at King’s College Hospital and King’s College London, UK, and Medical Director of the Parkinson Foundation International Centre of Excellence at King’s College, and Yazead Buhidma, a PhD student at the Wolfson Centre of Age-related Diseases at King’s College London. Chaudhuri studies Parkinson’s disease (PD) and is a world leader in defining non-motor symptoms and non-motor phenotypes of PD. Meanw...

Musings on the Progress of Pain Research: A Podcast with Stephen McMahon

IASP will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. Even though the anniversary is still a few years away, it already has us thinking about the history of IASP and the evolution of pain research over the past five decades. So, we have begun a new series of podcasts that will cover both of those topics, featuring senior leaders in the field who have made major contributions to pain research and care and/or to IASP. Our third such podcast features pioneering pain researcher Stephen McMaho...

Being Brave and Asking Questions: A Podcast with Maria Fitzgerald

In this podcast, Dr. Maria Fitzgerald, PhD, discusses how she got into the pain field, what it was like to work with Patrick Wall, the science of pain in infants, and more.

Drawn to the Pain Field Not by the Science, but by the Patients

Editor’s Note: IASP will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. Even though the anniversary is still a few years away, it already has us thinking about the history of IASP and the evolution of pain research over the past five decades. So we are beginning a new series of podcasts that will cover both of those topics, featuring senior leaders in the field who have made major contributions to pain research and care and/or to IASP. In our first such podcast, pioneering pain researcher an...

The Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Pain

Gary Macfarlane, PhD, is Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange (LIfe Sciences and Medicine). He has also held the Chair in Epidemiology (Clinical) at The University of Aberdeen since 2005. He leads the Epidemiology group at the University of Aberdeen, which focuses its research in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD). His major research interests are in the Epidemiology of RMD, with a particular focus on pain (including fibromyalgia), fatigue and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), a...

A Deep Dive into Ischemic Muscle Pain: A Podcast with Michael Jankowski

In this podcast, Michael Jankowski, PhD, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, US, discusses his path to musculoskeletal pain research and particularly to ischemic muscle pain research, what he’s working on now, and what the future looks like in his area of investigation.

IASP Pain Research Forum Podcasts

IASP Pain Research Forum Podcasts

Meeting Preview—Keystone Symposia on Pain: Aligning the Target

In this meeting preview, Allan Basbaum, Laura Bohn and William Schmidt, the scientific organizers of Pain: Aligning the Target, discuss their goal of bringing together researchers who study pain mechanisms with those who have a more translational focus, for the purpose of addressing gaps in knowledge and speeding development of new treatments.

North American Pain School 2019: A Conversation with Visiting Faculty Member Jennifer Laird

Jennifer Laird, PhD, DSc, Eli Lilly and Company, discusses her sojourns between academic and company settings, what makes for a good drug target, her love of gardening, and more. 

IASP Pain Research Forum Podcast--North American Pain School 2019: A Conversation with Visiting Faculty Member Judith Paice

Judith Paice, PhD, RN, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, US, discusses her work with cancer patients who have pain, her thoughts on the opioid crisis, and the importance of multimodal treatment in pain care.

Advice to Young Researchers: Follow Your Passion and Buckle Up Your Seatbelt for Successful Translational Pain Research—A Podcast with Stephen Waxman

Stephen Waxman, MD, PhD, Yale University, New Haven, US, discusses his studies of rare painful diseases, which have lessons for understanding pain more broadly, advice for trainees as they develop their careers in pain research, and why he thinks it’s important to communicate research to the public.