Editorial: Translational research in neuropathic pain: Current status and future directions.

Abstract

The pathophysiology of neuropathic pain and the neuromodulation of underlying mechanisms by various interventions (pharmacological and non-pharmacological) has yet to be clearly elucidated (1–3). Consequently, neuropathic pain can be clinically challenging, and many patients are refractory to standard of care treatments (4, 5). Although preclinical studies exploring neuropathic pain mechanisms and interventions have been robust in recent years, advances in clinical care have been relatively lacking (6–8). This disparity is largely thought to be a result of limited, welldesigned translational pain studies. This editorial aims to highlight the current state of translational research, new directions in animal models, objective assessments and measures of pain, and personalized medicine, to better our understanding of challenges in translating pre-clinical research to human patients.