The Spine Less Traveled: Navigating Mechanisms and Exploring Treatments for Pain in Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

To contextualize the importance of my PhD work, the following chapters of this manuscript delve into the intersections of chronic pain and Alzheimer’s disease. This journey begins with a comprehensive review exploring shared pathological mechanisms between these conditions, highlighting the critical need to deepen our understanding of their interactions for more effective pain management strategies. Building on this foundation, the research section presents findings from a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on the neurobiological pathways of pain transmission and examining why common analgesics may not offer the same relief in this context. Finally, my work expands into innovative approaches, where surgical techniques have been refined in models of chronic pain, and a non-pharmacological therapy using green light photoneuromodulation is evaluated for its therapeutic potential. Together, these studies aim to advance both scientific understanding and patient care for those living with complex, interwoven conditions.