This Congress will welcome contributions on any aspect of neuropathic pain, but will also focus on two important causes: (1) diabetic neuropathic pain; and (2) chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathic pain. These are two of the most prevalent etiologies that challenge us today, and they are both growing in importance as diabetes becomes more common, and as cancer survivorship improves. It is vital that we keep pace with our ability to understand and treat these conditions, and our Congress will feature the very latest knowledge, presented by the foremost scientists and clinicians in the world.

Plenary Sessions
Several internationally known speakers to present timely topics in the field of pain during each morning and afternoon's Plenary Sessions. This program will present a wide array of issues and research that is relevant to both basic scientists and clinicians. See Speakers.

Topical Workshops
 Series of simultaneous 90-minute Topical Workshops, providing delegates with great opportunities for floor discussion and learning from leaders in the pain study field. Most sessions will include viewpoints from at least three speakers.

Hands On Workshops--NEW!
Enhance your s experience by participating in innovative sessions designed to provide unique perspectives and professional development. Hands-on Practical Workshops are on a first come first serve-basis and are an additional cost of $150.00 USD. Each session can accommodate 80 attendees. A wait list will become available when the session is full.

•  9 May 15:30-18:30-Neurophysiological Methods in the Assessment of Neuropathic Pain in Humans
• 10 May 15:30-18:30-Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST)

 

Themes:

Diabetic Neuropathic Pain

Positive and negative sensory symptoms are very common in nerve damage related to diabetes, one of the largest burden in public health worldwide. Patients with diabetes and neuropathy comprise a substantial proportion, even in those with only glucose intolerance, a “pre-diabetic” condition. Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy range from mild numbness and pins and needles in stocking distribution, evolving into painful burning feet with sharp electrical sensations. Much interest has been given to the mechanisms behind nerve damage in diabetes despite of which the understanding of pain mechanisms is incomplete. However, genetic characterisation of these patients and unravelling molecular mechanisms underlying neurophysiological disturbances will help develop strategies for prevention and treatment of this rather common painful condition.

Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathic Pain

Sensory dysfunction and pain are the most common and intractable treatment-limiting factors, and among the most distressing symptoms of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Sensory disturbances in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) range from numbness (paresthesia) and unpleasant tingling (dysesthesia) to painful cramps, deep muscle aches, and spontaneous burning pain. These symptoms are usually symmetrical in a stocking-and-glove distribution and refractory to remedy. The incidence and severity of these symptoms are correlated with duration and dose such that nearly all patients treated with paclitaxel, vincristine, platinum-based agents, or bortezomib experience symptoms, often forcing discontinuation of cancer therapy, which reduces survival.

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Hands-on Practical Workshops are on a first come first serve-basis and are an additional cost of $150.00 USD. Each session can accommodate 80 attendees. A wait list will become available when the session is full.

Neurophysiological Methods in the Assessment of Neuropathic Pain in Humans.

In this workshop we will try to demonstrate different neurophysiological approaches to understand the physiology and pathophysiology of pain-related structures along different territories of the somatosensory system. The demonstration will include the primary nociceptor by having an actual recording of nerve traffic from single nerve fibres along a peripheral nerve in an awake volunteer through microneurography. On a second station the attendees will experience the diagnostic method of conventional nerve conduction and also nerve excitability to predict an underlying mechanism behind some neuropathic symptoms. The attendees will have the opportunity to practice the methods that explore the nociceptive pathway from the receptor to the brain through pain-related evoked potentials. Finally, live cortical excitability changes induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation will be experienced by the attendees and understand the analgesic mechanisms provided by this technique.

Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST)

This QST Hands-on session will educate attendees on the determining of sensation and pain thresholds for cold and warm temperatures, and the vibration sensation threshold by stimulating the skin and comparing the results to normative values. Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) is a method for diagnosing peripheral nervous system disorders, including chronic pain and pain related to various diseases, such as Diabetes and CRPS.

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Scientific Program Committee

Co-chair: Mario Campero, MD (Chile)
Co-chair: Patrick Dougherty, PhD (USA)

David Bennett, PhD (United Kingdom)
Margarita Calvo, PhD (Chile)
Robert Edwards, PhD (USA)
Sam Eldabe, MD (United Kingdom)
Nanna Finnerup, MD (Denmark)
Simon Haroutounian, PhD (USA)
Aki Hietaharju, MD, PhD (Finland)
Peter Kamerman, PhD (South Africa)
Marzia Malcangio, PhD (United Kingdom)
Esther Pogatzki-Zahn, Prof. Dr. med, (Germany)
Theodore Price, PhD (USA)
Srinivasa Raja, MD (USA)
Andrew Rice, MBBS MD FRCA FFPMRCA (United Kingdom)
Annina Schmid, PhD (United Kingdom)
Emiko Senba, MD, PhD (Japan)
Blair Smith, MD (United Kingdom)
Maree Smith, PhD (Australia)
Claudia Sommer, MD (Germany)
Jan Vollert, MsC (United Kingdom)
David Yarnitsky, MD (Israel)