Research Focus of ResolvePAIN

The Clinical Research Unit KFO5001 – ResolvePAIN investigates why pain resolves in some patients but becomes chronic in others. While most research in pain has focused on mechanisms of persistence, we specifically study the biology of pain resolution.

In our second funding period (FP2), we focus on five pain-related conditions with the potential for recovery:

Bortezomib-induced polyneuropathy (BIPN)
complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
autoimmune neuropathies (Caspr2)
fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS)
chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP)

Across these conditions, we examine shared and distinct mechanisms that promote or prevent recovery. Our research integrates clinical cohorts, animal models, and patient-derived cellular systems, combined with advanced technologies such as microneurography, high-resolution imaging, and spatial transcriptomics.

Each project within ResolvePAIN contributes to understanding how peripheral neurons, immune cells, nerve barriers, and brain circuits interact to influence pain outcomes. The aim is to identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets to support patients at risk of chronic pain.

Diseases, target tissues, and mechanisms examined in FP2. BIPN: bortezomib-induced polyneuropathy, BNB: blood nerve barrier, CASPR: CASPR2 autoimmune neuropathy; CPIP: chronic postsurgical inguinal pain; CRPS: com-plex regional pain syndrome; DMN: default mode network; FMS: fibromyalgia syndrome. NAc: Nucleus accumbens; PAG: periaqueductal grey, SGC: satellite glia cells. Created with biorender©

Contact

Portraitfoto: Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Heike Rittner

Univ.-Prof. Dr.
Heike Rittner, MD

Scientific Coordinator

+49 931 201-30251

Portraitfoto: Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Claudia Sommer

Univ.-Prof. Dr.
Claudia Sommer, MD

Speaker of the Clinical Research Unit

+49 931 201-23763

Contact

Univ.-Prof. Dr.Heike Rittner, MD

Univ.-Prof. Dr.Claudia Sommer, MD

Univ.-Prof. Dr.
Heike Rittner, MD

Univ.-Prof. Dr.
Claudia Sommer, MD