Univ.-Prof. Dr. sc. hum Robin-Bekrater-Bodmann, Dipl.-Psych.
Tel.: +49 241 80-80279
rbekraterbodukaachende
Hauptgebäude, Aufzug D4, Etage 4, Gang D, Raum 51
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).
