Scientist Dr Patrick McHugh is hoping to crack the conundrum of pain.
The Huddersfield University researcher is on a mission to help doctors treat one of the least understood but most widespread causes of suffering.
In the UK alone an estimated 7.8 million people have their lives blighted by chronic pain – and 44% of them are failing to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Now, backed by funding from the British Pain Society and crucial support from the National Institute of Health Research, Dr McHugh is embarking on a new study using blood samples to try and learn more.
He will research chronic neuropathic pain, an acknowledged ‘blind spot’ in medical care and research.
It is caused by faulty signals from the nervous system and is estimated to affect seven out of every 100 people.
It does not respond well to conventional painkillers and clinicians sometimes resort to opioids, which often prove to be addictive.
Dr McHugh, who has been awarded the prestigious Clulow Award, bestowed once every two years by the British Pain Society, hopes his work could lead to new treatments.
Currently there are no specific drugs for the condition.
Dr McHugh said pain was a highly subjective phenomenon and sensitivities vary from patient to patient, making diagnosis difficult.
He said: “If a clinician can quickly and specifically nail down what type of pain it is, then they can find more effective treatment strategies.”
Dr McHugh, who works at the university’s School of Applied Sciences will be joined in the research project by PhD student David Buckley, who is a qualified pharmacist.
