MEDI6010

Neurobiology of Pain

10 Units 6000 Level Course

Not available in 2014

Previously offered in 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004

A course based on videotapes of lectures, written material and seminal publications from the world literature, designed to inform candidates about contemporary knowledge of the anatomical and physiological basis of nociceptiion, viseral and eep somatic pain, and neurogenic pain.

Objectives To bring candidates up to date in their knowledge about the mechanisms of pain.
Content Revision of basic anatomy of the nervous system and neurophysiology.
Mechanisms of Nociception:
- definition of pain
- trandsuction - histology of nerve endings, mechanical stimuli, chemical stimuli
- central transmission - dorsolateral tract, dorsal horn, Rexed's laminae, connections in lamina I to V, EAAs, neuropeptides, NMDA receptors, NK receptors, opiotoids receptors, anterolateral tract, thalamic nuclei, cortical projections, brainstem projects
- modulation - brainstem nuclei, PVG, PAG, NRM, NRGC, LC, LMRF, dorsolateral fumiculis, connections in dorsal horn, DNIC, 5HT, GABA, ENK, endorphins
Somatic and Visceral Pain"
- the structure of joints and fibrous connective tissue, including their biochemistry
- the structure of viscera, as it pertains to pain
- transduction - visceral and deep somatic afferents, inflammation, ischaemic, osteoarthrosis
- transmission - putative visceral pain pathways, paleospinothalamic vs neospinothalamic systems
- referred pain - mechanisms, recognition, dermatomes and myotomes, segmental distribution of visceral afferents
Neurogenic Pain:
- mechanisms of pain in - neuroma, partial neerve injury, deafferentation, dysnociception
- mechanisms of allodynia, hyperalgesia
- mechanisms of post-herpetic neuralgia, trigeminai neuralgia, radicular pain, complex regional pain syndromes
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge Undergraduate course in biology, biosciences/physiology that covered structure and function of nerves.
Modes of Delivery Distance Learning : IT Based
Distance Learning : Paper Based
Teaching Methods Email Discussion Group
Self Directed Learning
Assessment Items
Examination: Class
Contact Hours Email Discussion Group: for 10 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Compulsory Components
Requisite by Enrolment This course is only available to students enrolled in the Master of Pain Medicine program.