PhD defence
How negative experiences influence the brain in pain: Neuroimaging and biobehavioral insights
- Date
- Wednesday 7 September 2022
- Time
- Location
-
Academy Building
Rapenburg 73
2311 GJ Leiden
Supervisor(s)
- Prof. A.W.M. Evers
Summary:
This PhD research dealt with neurobiological and behavioral aspects of pain. Previous research has demonstrated that pain sensitivity can be worsened as a result of learned negative expectations, a phenomenon termed nocebo hyperalgesia –a counterpart to placebo analgesia.
This PhD dissertation describes neuroimaging and biobehavioral experimental studies as well as a review and a meta-analysis concerned with such learned effects on pain. This PhD research adds to a growing literature that has been challenging antiquated understandings of pain as a bottom-up process. We conducted a series of biobehavioral studies to further our understanding of how bottom-up pain signaling can be influenced by the top-down processing that may often be involved in pain.
We examined the types of experiences, such as receiving negative information or experiencing a negative effect first-hand, that may lead to stronger or more persistent nocebo effects on pain. Behavioral paradigms were used to model real-life pain experiences, through validated experimental methods, novel experimental learning manipulations, as well as a close examination of emotional correlates such as fear. Concurrently, diverse, innovative neuroscientific methods –including pharmacological manipulations– were used to examine the biobehavioral underpinnings of learned nocebo responses.
Our findings add to the growing knowledgebase from the field of nocebo hyperalgesia, demonstrating that learning by experience can decisively influence the processing and perception of noxious stimuli.
PhD dissertations
Approximately one week after the defence, PhD dissertations by Leiden PhD students are available digitally through the Leiden Repository, that offers free access to these PhD dissertations. Please note that in some cases a dissertation may be under embargo temporarily and access to its full-text version will only be granted later.
Press enquiries (journalists only)
+31 (0)71 527 1521
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General information
Beadle's Office
pedel@bb.leidenuniv.nl
+31 71 527 7211