Neural Plasticity in Chronic Pain

Until recently, it was, thought that the adult brain is modifiable only during early stages of ontogenesis. However, neurophysiological and neuroimaging studies now indicate that the mature human brain is under certain conditions capable of substantial neuroplastic changes. The concept of plasticity is complex-and can be applied to all levels of neural organization from molecular to systemic level of neural networks. Neuro-plasticity reflects the ability of human brain to alter the pattern of neural activation in response to previous experience, and recent findings indicate that the effects of experience can lead to both structural as well as functional reorganization. This book brings the latest findings. From the foreword by professor Russell K Portenoy MD, Chairman and Gerald J. Friedman, Chair in Pain Medicine and Palliative Care: Each of the chapters in this volume informs both the understanding of pain specifically and broader constructs of neuroplasticity and nociception. Overall, it represents a continuing effort to relate scientific observation to human experience, and sustain the valuable dialogue between basic science and clinical medicine.