Translational Research on Neuropathic Pain and Headache

Pain has continued to be the major reason why patients seek medical care at medical centers. Neuropathic pain specifically, has also continued to be a concern due to the difficulties associated with diagnosis and management. The available treatment options, consisting mainly of anticonvulsants and antidepressants, do not completely provide the necessary relief for the patients and could be improved. Furthermore, links between neuropathic pain and headache, and particularly migraine headache, have been discovered. It has been proposed that the onset of a migraine is caused by neurogenic inflammation originating from the blood vessels of the nerves as well as the dura mater. There are still opportunities to unravel the mechanisms underlying the causes and manifestations of neuropathic pain and headache, and translational research on this will greatly benefit patients and their healthcare specialists.

This Research Topic seeks to provide updated information on neuropathic pain in the peripheral nervous system, as well as its relation to headache which originates predominately from the central nervous system. Recent information from basic and clinical research settings could provide directions on the treatment and management of neuropathic pain and headache, and provide additional information on how they may be related. 

For this Research Topic, we welcome manuscripts focusing on clinical and translational research addressing headache and neuropathic pain. Manuscripts reporting novel findings on therapeutic options for the management of the painful conditions will also be entertained. Specifically, the following areas will be considered:

• Animal models of neuropathic pain and headache, and how they may inform our understanding of these conditions in humans;

• Clinical research studies on neuropathic pain and headache, as well as their co-occurrence.