Research Group on study of the anatomical substrate of pain and analgesia

Description

The GESADA research group is an interdisciplinary group attached to the Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology of the University of Valencia, founded by Dr. Alfonso A. Valverde Navarro in 1994 and currently directed by Dr. Arantxa Blasco Serra. Valverde Navarro in 1994 and currently directed by Dr. Arantxa Blasco Serra. Since its beginnings it has focused its research on the study of the neural pathways involved in and leading to the processing of pain and analgesia.
The main lines of research of our group have been carried out from pre-clinical research, although in recent years new lines of research have been created aimed at the study of interventional pain in patients with different painful conditions.

In our pre-clinical studies we use different animal models of acute and chronic pain with the aim of delving into the neuroanatomical and functional bases involved not only in the phenomena of pain and analgesia, but also in the comorbidity associated with chronic pain conditions. Knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the interrelation of the complex symptoms that coexist in chronic pain conditions allows us to advance in the development of therapeutic targets of greater benefit to patients' quality of life.

On the other hand, in our clinical research we work in collaboration with the Pain Units of the main Hospitals in our area to deepen our knowledge of new access routes for the therapeutic approach to pain, using both medical imaging techniques and cadaveric studies.

Goals CT

Anatomical-functional study of the neural pathways involved in the processing of acute and chronic pain and analgesia.
Neuroanatomical study of the mechanisms underlying the complexity of symptoms present in chronic pain conditions.
Study of the neural mechanisms involved in the analgesic effect of the different pharmacological therapies applied to pain.
Anatomical study for the improvement of different invasive therapeutic techniques applied to pain interventionism.
Anatomical study for the improvement of surgical approach routes applied to pain interventionism.

Research lines

Study of the neuroanatomical basis of pain and analgesia
Study of the neural mechanisms involved in pain processing and analgesia.
Study of the neuroanatomical basis of the analgesic effect of drugs
Study of the neural bases responsible for the analgesic action of different drugs.
Anatomical studies applied to interventional pain management
Anatomical studies for the improvement of different invasive therapeutic techniques and surgical approaches applied to pain interventionism.
Basic research in chronic pain
Study of the neuroanatomical bases of different chronic pain syndromes and the neuroanatomical and functional mechanisms involved in mood disorders, sleep disorders and cognitive impairment associated with them.

Management