Division:
Psychobiology of chronic pain

Sekretariat

Sabine Syrig
Scientific Center for Neuropathic Pain Aachen SCN^AACHEN
Roermonder Str. 110, 52072 Aachen
Etage 1, Raum 1
Tel.: +49 241 99793-201
Fax: +49 241 80-3399-201
ssyrigukaachende
 

Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter

Dr. sc. hum. Annette Löffler, M.Sc. Psych.

Scientific Center for Neuropathic Pain Aachen SCN^AACHEN
Roermonder Str. 110, 52072 Aachen
Etage 1, Raum 6
Tel.: +49 241 99793-213
Fax: +49 241 80-3399-201
aloefflerukaachende
 

Studentische und wissenschaftliche Hilfskräfte

Leonie Borowczak, B.Sc. Psych.
Scientific Center for Neuropathic Pain Aachen SCN^AACHEN
Roermonder Str. 110, 52072 Aachen
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Psychobiology of chronic pain

According to estimates, up to 12 million people suffer from chronic pain in Germany alone. The chronification of pain is based on a complex and hitherto poorly understood interplay of biological and psychological mechanisms. As a result, pain loses its function as an acute sensory warning signal, while the emotional component of pain comes to the fore. The 'Psychobiology of chronic pain' working group investigates the interactions between plastic changes in the (peripheral and central) nervous system and psychological processes (perception, experience, behavior) in order to better understand the development and maintenance of chronic pain. For this purpose, we combine psychometric, behavioural, and physiological methods, which we use in an experimental context in our pain laboratory and/or during functional magnetic resonance imaging. The aim is to derive innovative and mechanism-based therapeutic approaches. The focus of our research is currently on neuropathic pain syndromes (e.g., post-amputation pain, small fiber neuropathy) and pain processing in people with mental disorders (e.g., with personality disorder).