Pain and the Brain: From Nociception to Cognition (Advances in Pain Research & Therapy)

Written by leading international scientists, physiologists, clinicians, and psychologists, this volume examines the link between neuronal activation in the nociceptive system and conscious pain experience. The contributors' new insights into pain perception have important implications for continuing pharmacological and psychological pain relief efforts.Pain and the Brain provides a state-of-the-art summary of contemporary knowledge on the mind-body connection. The book begins with an update on current concepts of nociception, pain, and consciousness, and then discusses practical clinical matters in pain perception and management. Separate sections fully explore thalamic pain processing, methods for visualizing pain-related brain activity, psychological assessment of pain, abnormal pain states, and drug-induced pain relief.The book is an essential source of information for clinicians, pain researchers and therapists, and researchers in cognitive and behavioral neurosciences.