Team ""Life Adversity and Pain"
Pierrick Poisbeau
Pierrick Poisbeau
email: poisbeau[at]unistra.fr
This team of basic researchers and clinicians work on the interplay between adverse life events and chronic pain. Research is mainly conducted in humans, focusing on vulnerable populations such as premature infants, women who have experienced violence or homelessness, and adults suffering from chronic pain. This work is complemented by mechanistic analysis using preclinical models of prematurity, adverse life events or chronic pain. Clinical research is carried out at the Hautepierre-Strasbourg Hospital, at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and at the Centre for the Study and Treatment of Pain (CETD). The methods of analysis range from the most integrated (behaviour, imaging, electrophysiology) to the most molecular (transcriptomics, methylome, neurochemistry). The interventional studies carried out are mainly in the field of non-pharmaceutical interventions such as hypnosis, music therapy, adapted physical activity or virtual reality.
Techniques: Animal and human behaviour; Molecular biology and epigenetics; Cell biology; Human neurophysiology; Brain imaging (NIRS and FMRI); Nociceptive testing in animals and humans; Questionnaire administration; Cognitive assessment; Clinical assessment in humans (newborns and adults); Virtual reality; Hypnosis; Adapted physical activity; Therapeutic education; Neuromodulation.
Research areas: Adverse childhood experiences and pain (Kuhn, Lelièvre, Melchior) ; Chronic pain, predisposing factors and management options (Salvat, Poisbeau, Trinkler).
Team "Neuropsychology and Neurophysiology of aging"
André Dufour
email: andre.dufour[at]unistra.fr
André Dufour is a professor of cognitive neuroscience and statistics. He studies changes in the perception of pain during aging. These research projects focus in particular on the alteration of nociceptive fibers in the elderly. For this, he uses sensory quantification techniques and electrophysiological measurements.
LNCA Website of Team "Pain and Aging"
Team "Hedonic Dysfunction and Neuroadaptations"
Katia Befort
Katia Befort
email: katia.befort[at]unistra.fr
Our research focuses on behavioral and molecular adaptations, including epigenetics, that occur in addictive behaviors. We study the long-term effects of psychostimulants (cocaine), analgesic drugs (opioids and cannabinoids), or natural reward (sugar, fat) in brain reward-related circuits. Compulsive consumptions (intake of alcohol, sugary and fatty food) are particularly observed in patients suffering from chronic pain. We therefore wish to deepen our knowledge on the mechanisms involved in addictive behaviors in pain conditions.
Research area: Binge eating disorder ; Cocaine addiction ; Relapse ; Neuroinflammation.
Techniques: Behavior tests including cognition ; Nociception ; Addictive behavior ; Mood state ; Decision making ; Motivation ; Histology ; Viral based approach ; Fiber photometry ; Neuroanatomical tract tracing.
LNCA Website of Team "Abuse of Drugs and Neuroadaptations"