Chronic pain affects 1 in 5 people and is associated with poor mental health, decreased quality of life, and increased opioid dependence. There are few efficacious non-opioid therapies available and, thus, people who resort to opioids are subsequently exposed to dangerous side effects. Therefore, there is a great need to find novel, non-opioid treatments through drug discovery. However, drug discovery starts with preclinical studies to produce and test new compounds - many of which are inspired by nature (eg. venoms!). This session will provide an overview of preclinical science in chronic pain and how CRNAs can become involved in drug discovery.
Learn about animal models of chronic pain, how pain is assessed in animals, and how drugs are developed and tested in these models. In addition, we will review how bench science builds to translational studies and, eventually, how it is progresses to clinical research and implementation. Finally, we will review some emerging therapies and challenges associated with chronic pain research. CRNAs interested in pain management and/or research will benefit from this session to improve ones understanding of scientific techniques.
Learning Objectives:
Describe several preclinical models of pain and how pain is assessed in these models.
Explain how a novel compound transitions from the initial discovery to clinical trials.
Identify emerging pain therapies and ways to get involved in pain research or advanced clinical practice.
