Using Systems Engineering to Model Neuropathic Pain (PhD Scholarship)
Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
Scholarship Information
Award value: AUD $32,500 annually
Level of study: Postgraduate
Neuropathic pain effects "1 in every 10 adults over the age of 30". The treatments available for neuropathic pain can at best be described as having "moderate efficacy". Due to the nature of neuropathic pain, the ability to scientifically study and understand its fundamental causes has been limited to animal models and trials. There are over 27 animal models for neuropathic pain where pain has been induced by macroscopic & microscopic nerve lesions, chemotherapy, viral infections and diabetes mellitus. Looking at clinical studies, the current research process is to propose a model, conduct animal tests and then evaluate whether the original model is consistent with results. This is difficult as it requires humans to evaluate pain in animals which cannot be directly measured. This process is not systematic in the way it comes up with models and has thus resulted in many models of limited effectiveness.