Pain and the Brain

A discussion of the links between neuronal activation in the nocioceptive system and conscious pain experience. The text examines the mind-body connection in pain perception and the implications of the mind-body connection for the pharmacological and psychological treatment of pain. It begins with an update on current topics of nocioception, pain and consciousness and then discusses practical clinical matters in pain perception and management. Separate sections explore thalamic pain processing, methods for visualizing pain-related brain activity, psychological assessment of pain, abnormal pain states and drug-induced pain relief.