Grant: Operating Grant

While acute pain is uncomfortable and perhaps menacing, it serves a useful purpose in warning an organism of impending harm. In contrast, chronic pain serves no useful purpose, is usually out of proportion to an injury or pathology, and may persist long after healing is complete. A recent National Survey indicated that 3.9 million Canadians (17%) over the age of 15 have chronic pain. Neuropathic pain generally falls under the umbrella of chronic pain and affects 2-3% of the population in North America. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that 70% of individuals suffering from chronic pain is rated as moderate to severe enough to interfere with normal daily activities and can last for months to years. Consequently, chronic pain imposes a significant burden on society by diminishing the quality of life of patients and their families and also has an enormous impact on healthcare costs, and other expenditures predicted to be over $150 billion annually in the US. However, treatment of neuropathic pain is particularly challenging for physicians, as this pain does not respond well to treatment. In the current research proposal, we will investigate the potential of a novel target (delta opioid receptors) for treating neuropathic pain.