Pain is a fundamental biological experience that transcends species, yet our understanding of its mechanisms, measurement, and management is still evolving—particularly in non-human animals. Comparative pain research plays a pivotal role in unraveling the complexities of pain pathways across taxa, exploring underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms, and facilitating translational approaches capable of benefiting both human and veterinary medicine. This dynamic field encompasses a spectrum of investigative strategies, including clinical trials for novel therapeutic interventions, the development and validation of preclinical and naturally occurring models, and the innovative measurement and quantification of pain phenotypes. By fostering interdisciplinary and comparative dialogue, especially through scientific meetings that bring together researchers, clinicians, and stakeholders, we accelerate discoveries in pain biology and management—ultimately striving for better health and well-being for all species.

Goal

This article collection aims to capture and disseminate the advancements, debates, and emerging challenges discussed at the meetings on Comparative Pain Research held in 2023. We seek to celebrate and curate the rich scientific exchange that propels the field of veterinary and comparative pain research forward. By collating proceedings, extended abstracts, syntheses of panel discussions, and commentary on major themes, we provide a platform to share current gaps and scientific challenges in pain research—including, but not limited to, the evolutionary aspects of pain, newly developed or validated pain models, development of assessment tools, pharmacokinetic and mechanistic insights, and innovative therapeutic interventions such as drugs, biologics, devices, or physical modalities. Special emphasis is placed on studies oriented toward translational relevance, naturally occurring animal models, and comparative frameworks that inform both veterinary and human pain medicine. Recent years have seen notable advances in pain measurement technologies, biomarkers for chronic pain, and trials utilizing patient-owned animals for clinically relevant data—areas we especially encourage authors to highlight in their contributions.

Scope and Information for Authors

We invite submissions closely tied to the content and outcomes of comparative or translational pain meetings held in 2023, with a requisite non-human animal component. Acceptable manuscript types include narrative proceedings (extended abstracts; meeting narrations), multi-author summaries, and focused papers (mini reviews, opinions, perspectives) based on individual presentations. Submissions should not focus solely on the clinical management of pain, unless reporting clinical research data. Manuscripts should provide in-depth, novel insights into the generation, assessment, or intervention of pain in relevant species, ideally using comparative and translational approaches. Engaging contributions that reflect “patients with lived experience” (human or animal owners) are encouraged. All submissions will undergo the standard rigorous peer-review process. Accepted articles for each yearly meeting will be considered until one year following the event date. This topic directly aligns with SDG 3 (Good

Health and Well-being), underscoring the importance of pain research across species for global health improvement.

Conflict of interest statement:
Topic Editor Professor Duncan Lascelles serves on the organizing committee of the Pain in Animals Workshop (PAW). The organizing committee had no role in the editorial handling or peer review of manuscripts in this Research Topic. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the subject of this Research Topic.

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Comparative Pain Research Meetings 2023