This review summarizes functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) findings that have informed …

• Abstract
• Background: 'O (Chronic) Pain Miserum'
• Advancing our Understanding of CNS Mechanisms in Acute and Chronic Pain through fMRI
• fMRI studies of Endogenous Analgesia
• fMRI Studies of Analgesics
• Conclusion
• Abbreviation List
• References
• Figure
• Tables

Biology Articles » Neurobiology » Systems Neurobiology » Breaking down the barriers: fMRI applications in pain, analgesia and analgesics » Conclusion

Conclusion

- Breaking down the barriers: fMRI applications in pain, analgesia and analgesics

A revolution in the application of a relatively new technology, fMRI, to the field of pain and analgesia is upon us. Within the next half decade, we should begin to see direct benefits in the clinical setting that could range from (a) use of fMRI to evaluate/diagnose a pain condition; (b) use of fMRI to evaluate drug efficacy in responders vs. non-responders; (c) use of fMRI to evaluate novel drug efficacy (the latter will be driven predominantly by the pharmaceutical industry) and (d) use of fMRI to provide new insights into the mechanisms of endogenous 'pain systems'. We believe there is good reason to expect that the contribution of this technology together with advances in other neurosciences will help transition the state of current pain therapy from 'o me miserum!' ('o woe is me!') to more optimistic states for both patient and clinician 'semper aliqud novii' ('always something new' .... and better/useful). We believe there is good reason to expect that the contribution of this technology together with advances in other neurosciences will significantly advance therapies for chronic pain and alleviate physical and emotional suffering for the many individuals living with this disease.