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The Comprehensive Center for Pain Research (CCPR) was created in 2001 in an effort to increase the University of Florida's reputation for excellence in pain research. The purpose of this Comprehensive Center is to link together and coordinate clinical and basic research activities related to the onset and progression of chronic pain conditions. The ultimate goal of the CCPR is a commitment to move research to clinical application in an effort to improve the quality of life of pain sufferers. Working in partnership with the resources within the College of Dentistry as well as those throughout the six colleges of the Health Science Center, the Institute on Aging, and the McKnight Brain Institute this multidisciplinary Comprehensive Center provides research and training opportunities in a number of areas including those related to the molecular biology, functional imaging, physiology, pharmacology, psychology and sociology of pain. The research programs of faculty associated with the CCPR range from the study of pain molecules to the development and testing of novel pain management and prevention strategies. An important focus of the Comprehensive Center for Pain Research is the development and testing of therapeutic interventions that will alleviate pain from individuals with disease-driven pain that occurs secondary to cancer, stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, and diabetes. The CCPR also has an active visiting speaker program, journal clubs, and an annual Pain Research Day.
Another goal of the CCPR is to draw on the diverse backgrounds of more that 50 pain investigators who are experienced in basic biomedical, behavioral and social sciences, as well as the varied health services at the University of Florida. By aligning the expertise of core faculty with the strengths of investigators in a number of research areas it has been possible to create multidisciplinary research programs focusing on: (1) aging and pain; (2) musculoskeletal pain; (3) visceral pain; (4) cardiac pain; (5) orofacial pain; (6) placebo effects; (7) spinal cord injury pain; along with psychosocial aspects of pain including (8) sex, gender and ethnic differences in pain perception. Many of these areas are important to the State of Florida as the "bellwether state" for aging (19% of the population is >65 years old). Because of this, UF has developed a diverse and strong faculty in gerontology and geriatrics, including an Institute on Aging. The newly created program related to pain in the elderly offers research opportunities in an exciting new area of pain research. The UF also has a successful and historical interest in sex and gender studies as evidenced by the Women's Health Initiative and this effort is complemented by new research programs in the biological, behavioral, and social science domains. The pain research program at the University of Florida is one of the largest and most comprehensive research and training programs in the country. In addition to the quality research efforts is a postdoctoral training program focusing on “Integrative and Translational Training in Pain Research”. For more information related to training and research opportunities please contact Dr. Robert Yezierski (Director), Comprehensive Center for Pain Research (ryezierski@dental.ufl.edu). |
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