This Research Topic is part of a series.
See also
Exploring Neuroinflammatory Pathways that Contribute to Chronic Pain.
Chronic pain leading to a reduced quality of life is one of the most important health problems worldwide. It has been estimated that 10% of adults are diagnosed with chronic pain each year. However, despite the high prevalence of chronic pain, its treatment options are limited in part due to the variety of chronic pain conditions with different etiologies (e.g. diabetes, cancer, viral, musculoskeletal) and because their pathophysiological mechanisms are only partially known and can change with time. Therefore, there is a huge unmet need for new effective therapies for the control and/or prevention of multifarious chronic pain conditions.
Chronic pain is associated with neuroinflammation where cellular and molecular immune components such as microglia and astrocytes, cytokines, complement, and pattern-recognition receptors act as key regulators of pain signaling. Emerging evidence indicates long-term effects of COVID-19 infection can exacerbate neuroinflammation conditions underlying chronic pain. The exact mechanisms underlying the link between neuroinflammation and chronic pain are still not clear and the study of innovative approaches targeting neuroinflammation pathways and their resolution is currently an emerging field of pain research.
The goal of this Research Topic is to compile a series of articles aiming at identifying, treating, and modulating neuroinflammation-associated chronic pain, aiming to improve our understanding and enhance the development of novel therapeutic strategies. We especially welcome submissions of Original Research articles (in vitro, animal, or clinical studies) and Reviews that cover, but are not limited to, the following subtopics:
1. Neuroinflammatory diseases involving chronic pain e.g Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease.
2. Characterization of disease/pain-associated microglial states: Microglial heterogeneous changes in models of chronic pain.
3. COVID-19 and neuroinflammation as a driver of chronic pain.
4. Cancer-associated chronic pain.
5. Mechanisms, mediators, and targets promoting or resolving neuroinflammation and chronic pain.
6. Novel diagnosis (e.g. biomarkers) or management strategies of neuroinflammation associated with chronic pain.
7. Big Data (e.g. artificial intelligence analytics) for screening chronic pain and neuroinflammation diagnostics and predictive pathways.
8. Investigation of the efficacy and safety of traditional medicine for resolving neuroinflammation-associated chronic pain.
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The Topic Editor Amy Fisher is employed by GW Pharmaceuticals plc. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.
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