The current understanding of the neuropathophysiology of pain, including the concepts of transduction and transmission, nerve physiology, pain modulation, central nervous system changes in pain states, and chronic regional and neuropathic pain states.
Pain science has developed very quickly over the past 20 years. The rapidly developing knowledge of neurobiological systems involved in the human experience of pain is essential to understanding clinical diagnosis and management of painful disorders. This paper follows on from paper MSME 704 Introduction to Pain, which is a prerequisite. It is designed to extend students' understanding of neurobiological systems and processes associated with the human experience of pain, but does not extend into psychological or sociocultural aspects, which are the focus of PAIN 703 Psychosocial and Cultural Aspects of Pain.
| Paper title | Neurobiology of Pain |
|---|---|
| Paper code | PAIN701 |
| Subject | Pain and Pain Management |
| EFTS | 0.1250 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period | Second Semester |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $1,400.75 |
| International Tuition Fees (NZD) | $4,934.75 |
- Prerequisite
- MSMX 704 or MSME 704
- Restriction
- PAIX 701
- Limited to
- MHealSc, PGCertHealSc, PGDipHealSc, PGDipPhty, MPhty
- Eligibility
- Appropriately qualified health professionals, including medical practitioners, nurses, occupational therapists, osteopaths or physiotherapists
- Contact
- orthopaedics.uoc@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information on the Musculoskeletal and Pain Management Programmes website
- Teaching staff
- Dr Jim Borowczyk, with assistance from a variety of other medical specialists
- Paper Structure
- PAIN 701 consists of eight modules, covering topics that include:
- Physiology of nociception
- Anatomy and function of the dorsal horn
- Nociceptive modulation
- Tissue-specific nociception
- Neuropathic pain and associated factors in the nociceptive system
- Teaching Arrangements
- Material is delivered electronically and is distance taught. There are eight fortnightly online teaching sessions.
- Textbooks
- There is no single textbook for this paper. Readings will be provided for students to access via the Library, with additional readings and other multimedia material provided via Blackboard. Students can access relevant chapters from Wall and Melzack's Textbook of Pain (2013) 6th Edition, edited by McMahon, Koltzenburg, Tracey & Turk, Published by Elsevier: Philadelphia.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Critical thinking, Information literacy.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- Students who successfully complete the paper will have developed an in-depth understanding of current scientific progress in pain neurobiology and the impact of these findings on clinical practice and in understanding the human pain experience.
