The Bath pain forum at Bristol

The Bath Pain Forum was launched in 2000 and these meetings have been well supported by clinicians in the local area. They invite world leaders in pain research to present their work and discuss developments. These speakers are chosen for the high quality of their research and their ability to communicate it well. Perhaps the most important part of the forum is that everyone is invited to carry on discussions afterwards.

Since 2015, the Pain Forums have been supported by the Integrated Pain Management Health Integration Team (IPM HIT) which covers the Bath and Bristol area. Once a year, the Pain Forum is held in Bristol.

Presentation

Human pain channelopathies

David Bennett, Professor of Neurology and Neurobiology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford

David’s research aim is to gain a better understanding of the response of the nervous system to injury in order to develop strategies to promote peripheral nerve repair and to prevent the development of neuropathic pain. His clinical interest is in peripheral neuropathy and he runs a clinical service at Oxford University Hospitals. He has a rather unique pedigree for applying insights gained through his research and understanding of basic neurobiology to the phenotyping of clinical conditions.

David has explored the genetic basis of inherited painful channelopathies (for instance, familial episodic pain syndrome due to TRPA1 mutations) and in the description and validation of novel pain mediators such as NGF and CXCL5. In the case of NGF a monoclonal antibody aimed at this factor has shown efficacy in phase three clinical trials. He will discuss how a combination of genomic medicine and ion channel biophysics are providing insight into the regulation of nociceptor excitability and persistent pain states.

More information about Professor Bennett’s research and recent publications can be found at
http://www.ndcn.ox.ac.uk/team/david-bennett

The meeting will be chaired by Dr Peter Brook, Consultant in Pain Management, Bath Centre for Pain Services, RNHRD, Bath.

It will be followed by informal drinks at a local hostelry!