Experimental Pain Models
Pain Models
Experimental pain models refer to a type of pain research—typically performed in normal healthy volunteers—during which various stimuli are applied with the goal of studying mechanisms of pain in a hyper‐activated (sensitized) state. The application of stimuli both initiates and maintains this sensitized state. By inducing a sensitized state, it is possible to study pain physiology which resembles manifestations of more persistent types of pain.
When experimental pain models are performed in conjunction with the administration of a drug or non-drug intervention, they can be used to study the efficacy of a drug or intervention.
The Dr. Vince Clinical Research team has broad expertise in pain therapeutics in various experimental pain models, led by our Executive Vice President, Scientific Affairs, Lynn R. Webster, MD, an internationally recognized clinical research expert in pain and addiction medicine. Since 2003, Dr. Webster has served as an investigator or co-investigator on over 350 clinical trials, giving him significant expertise in experimental pain models, human pain models, human abuse potential, and assessing drugs’ effects on respiratory depression.
DVCR’s trained staff and systematic quality control during each step of clinical trial execution are key to obtaining credible and reliable data. DVCR’s experienced investigators have proven success and expertise with the design and execution of studies across the full drug development spectrum.
Reach Out Today
If you would like to learn more about how DVCR can support your upcoming experimental pain model assessment, please contact us.
Experimental pain models refer to a type of pain research—typically performed in normal healthy volunteers—during which various stimuli are applied with the goal of studying mechanisms of pain in a hyper‐activated (sensitized) state. The application of stimuli both initiates and maintains this sensitized state. By inducing a sensitized state, it is possible to study pain physiology which resembles manifestations of more persistent types of pain.
When experimental pain models are performed in conjunction with the administration of a drug or non-drug intervention, they can be used to study the efficacy of a drug or intervention.
The Dr. Vince Clinical Research team has broad expertise in pain therapeutics in various experimental pain models, led by our Executive Vice President, Scientific Affairs, Lynn R. Webster, MD, an internationally recognized clinical research expert in pain and addiction medicine. Since 2003, Dr. Webster has served as an investigator or co-investigator on over 350 clinical trials, giving him significant expertise in experimental pain models, human pain models, human abuse potential, and assessing drugs’ effects on respiratory depression.
DVCR’s trained staff and systematic quality control during each step of clinical trial execution are key to obtaining credible and reliable data. DVCR’s experienced investigators have proven success and expertise with the design and execution of studies across the full drug development spectrum.
Reach Out Today
If you would like to learn more about how DVCR can support your upcoming experimental pain model assessment, please contact us.
Experimental Pain Models at DVCR
Pain is one of our key therapeutic areas of expertise, and we offer a broad variety of experimental pain models to study the pharmacodynamics of pain compounds in healthy volunteers. Our team has conducted dozens of pain-related studies, including studies with new treatments for pain.
Below are the descriptions and principal features of the experimental pain models which can be conducted at DVCR’s clinical pharmacology unit:
Cold Pressor Test
Consists of immersion of the limb (most commonly a hand) into a circulating temperature‐controlled cold-water bath. In addition to a strong sensory component of cold pain sensation, this test produces strong affective (usually negative) responses. There are two components to this test: as pain tolerance measured by the length of time subjects hold the limb in circulating cold water and as pain detection determined by the onset of pain.
View a Press Release regarding DVCR’s participation in a Cold Pressor Test here.
Capsaicin Test
Consists of topical application or intradermal administration of capsaicin. There are two components to this test: initial pain (usually lasting minutes) due to activation of C‐fibers with lingering milder pain (up to 30‐45 minutes) and associated central pathways that are followed by steady pain and manifestations of central sensitization (allodynia and hyperalgesia, usually lasting up to 60 minutes). The primary outcome is the area and intensity rating of allodynia and hyperalgesia. Both components, area and intensity, are sensitive to analgesic drugs and non‐drug treatments. A training session is performed prior to the analgesic study during which time the subject is familiarized with all aspects of testing.
View a publication from BMC Anesthesiology on a capsaicin test here.
UVB-Burn
This pain model results from UV‐B radiation. It’s an example of inflammatory pain with a strong component of peripheral sensitization. This model’s primary outcomes are three sensory testing components: mechanical allodynia, mechanical hyperalgesia, and thermal heat hyperalgesia of the sensitized area of skin.
The procedure is performed in two steps:
1) On the first day, it is important to determine what degree of inflammation is produced by the minimum UV‐B erythema dose (MED) and to determine whether the individual subject is able to participate in the sensory testing necessary to evaluate the intensity of allodynia and hyperalgesia.
2) After 24 hours, analgesic drug administration and sensory testing are performed together.
Qualitative Sensory Testing (QST): A set of methods that provide information regarding the relationship between stimulus and perception in a controlled and systematic manner. QST is regarded as the gold standard in detecting and characterizing the function of the sensory nervous system in health and disease (1).
Experimental Pain Models at DVCR
Pain is one of our key therapeutic areas of expertise, and we offer a broad variety of experimental pain models to study the pharmacodynamics of pain compounds in healthy volunteers. Our team has conducted dozens of pain-related studies, including studies with new treatments for pain.
Below are the descriptions and principal features of the experimental pain models which can be conducted at DVCR’s clinical pharmacology unit:
Cold Pressor Test
Consists of immersion of the limb (most commonly a hand) into a circulating temperature‐controlled cold-water bath. In addition to a strong sensory component of cold pain sensation, this test produces strong affective (usually negative) responses. There are two components to this test: as pain tolerance measured by the length of time subjects hold the limb in circulating cold water and as pain detection determined by the onset of pain.
View a Press Release regarding DVCR’s participation in a Cold Pressor Test here.
Capsaicin Test
Consists of topical application or intradermal administration of capsaicin. There are two components to this test: initial pain (usually lasting minutes) due to activation of C‐fibers with lingering milder pain (up to 30‐45 minutes) and associated central pathways that are followed by steady pain and manifestations of central sensitization (allodynia and hyperalgesia, usually lasting up to 60 minutes). The primary outcome is the area and intensity rating of allodynia and hyperalgesia. Both components, area and intensity, are sensitive to analgesic drugs and non‐drug treatments. A training session is performed prior to the analgesic study during which time the subject is familiarized with all aspects of testing.
View a publication from BMC Anesthesiology on a capsaicin test here.
UVB-Burn
This pain model results from UV‐B radiation. It’s an example of inflammatory pain with a strong component of peripheral sensitization. This model’s primary outcomes are three sensory testing components: mechanical allodynia, mechanical hyperalgesia, and thermal heat hyperalgesia of the sensitized area of skin.
The procedure is performed in two steps:
1) On the first day, it is important to determine what degree of inflammation is produced by the minimum UV‐B erythema dose (MED) and to determine whether the individual subject is able to participate in the sensory testing necessary to evaluate the intensity of allodynia and hyperalgesia.
2) After 24 hours, analgesic drug administration and sensory testing are performed together.
Qualitative Sensory Testing (QST): A set of methods that provide information regarding the relationship between stimulus and perception in a controlled and systematic manner. QST is regarded as the gold standard in detecting and characterizing the function of the sensory nervous system in health and disease (1).
Timing of Experimental Pain Models
When a battery of experimental pain models is applied early in the drug development process, it is possible to obtain critical information from human-derived data which can inform and support Phase II and Phase III studies.
Because the modalities in each model are more relevant to a specific type of pain and pain mechanisms, it is recommended that a battery of testing is performed to obtain a complete picture of pain as a clinical phenomenon and to ensure that potentially effective investigational drug is not deemed ineffective simply because the appropriate test is not done. When the results of testing of an investigational drug are compared to an established drug, the investigational drug is given an opportunity to manifest its analgesia in relation to the established drug.
References
1 Medoc – The QST Company – Advanced Medical Systems. (n.d.). QST Devices | Medoc – Advanced Medical Systems. https://www.medoc-web.com/pain-research