Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP)
CNAP hypothesis
It is our ambition to identify and modulate key features of human pain neuroplasticity leading to prevention of maladaptive neuroplasticity and promote advantageous neuroplasticity. We keenly believe that this can be achieved through a systematic engineering approach, including provoking, probing and modulation of the dynamic neuroplastic properties of the pain system.
Research areas
At CNAP, we investigate the mechanisms underlying pain and neuroplasticity across the human nervous system. By combining experimental pain models, advanced neurophysiological techniques, and translational research approaches, we aim to improve the understanding, prediction, and treatment of chronic pain conditions. We study how the nervous system adapts to pain and injury, and how these adaptations can contribute to the development and persistence of chronic pain. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for developing more effective interventions and preventive strategies. Using controlled experimental pain paradigms, we investigate how pain is processed and modulated in healthy individuals and patient populations. This provides valuable insights into the biological and neural mechanisms driving pain experiences.
Why it matters?
Chronic pain affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and is among the leading causes of disability, reduced quality of life, and healthcare costs. Despite its prevalence, the biological mechanisms underlying the transition from acute to chronic pain remain incompletely understood. At CNAP, we seek to uncover how neuroplastic changes within the nervous system contribute to pain development and persistence. By identifying the mechanisms that drive maladaptive pain responses, we aim to support the development of more precise diagnostics, personalised treatments, and preventive strategies.