Spinal Cord Injury Pain Clinical Research Laboratory
Head of laboratory
On this page:
Overview of research program
The problem
The spinal cord injury pain clinical research group is investigating the mechanisms and management of pain following spinal cord injury in humans. Over 10,000 people in Australia have a spinal cord injury. Around one fifth of people following spinal cord injury experience severe pain related to the catastrophic nerve damage caused by the injury. This neuropathic (or nerve) pain has a major impact on quality of life and ability to function. Despite the magnitude of the problem, the mechanisms are poorly understood and medical treatments remain inadequate.
Our research
To investigate this problem, we are using a combination of brain imaging techniques including electroencephalography, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging. These techniques will help us to identify the electrical, neurochemical, structural and functional changes that contribute to the development of pain.
Aim of research
The results obtained from this research will be used to identify new treatment targets. Our clinical spinal cord injury and pain collaborations provide a unique opportunity to use these findings to develop new treatments that can be tested through further clinical trials.
Major funding sources
- NSW Office of Science and Medical Research (Spinal Cord Injury and Related Neurological Conditions Program)
- Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists
- Pfizer Neuroscience Research Grants
Selected publications
Wrigley PJ, Press SR, Gustin SM, Macefield VG, Gandevia SC, Cousins MJ, Middleton JW, Henderson LA, Siddall PJ. Neuropathic pain and primary somatosensory cortex reorganization following spinal cord injury. Pain. 2008. In press; doi:10.1016/j.pain.2008.10.007.
Wrigley PJ, Gustin SM, Macey PM, Nash PG, Gandevia SC, Macefield VG, Siddall PJ, Henderson LA. Anatomical changes in human motor cortex and motor pathways following complete thoracic spinal cord injury. Cerebral Cortex. Advance online publication May 14, 2008 doi:10.1093/cercor/bhn072.
Gustin SM, Wrigley PJ, Gandevia SC, Middleton JW, Henderson LA, Siddall PJ. Movement imagery increases pain in people with neuropathic pain following complete thoracic spinal cord injury. Pain. 2008 137:237-244.
Boord P, Siddall PJ, Tran Y, Herbert D, Middleton J, Craig A. Electroencephalographic slowing and reduced reactivity in neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord. 2008 46:118-123.
Siddall PJ, Cousins MJ, Otte A, Griesing T, Chambers R, Murphy TK. Pregabalin in central neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury: A placebo-controlled trial. Neurology. 2006 67:1792-1800.
Drew GM, Siddall PJ, Duggan AW. Mechanical allodynia following contusion injury of the rat spinal cord is associated with loss of GABAergic inhibition in the dorsal horn. Pain. 2004 109:379-388.
Siddall PJ, McClelland JM, Rutkowski SB, Cousins MJ. A longitudinal study of the prevalence and characteristics of pain and non-painful phantom sensations in the first five years following spinal cord injury. Pain. 2003 103: 249-257.
Gerke MB, Xu L, Duggan AW, Siddall PJ. Ventrobasal thalamic neuronal activity in rats with mechanical allodynia following contusive spinal cord injury. Neuroscience. 2003 117:715-722.
Siddall PJ, Molloy A, Walker S, Mather LE, Rutkowski SB, Cousins MJ. Efficacy of intrathecal morphine and clonidine in the treatment of neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury. Anesthesia & Analgesia. 2000 91:1493-1498.
Siddall PJ, Taylor DA, McClelland JM, Rutkowski SB, Cousins MJ. Pain report and the relationship between physical factors and the development of pain in the first six months following spinal cord injury. Pain. 1999 81:187-197.
