The Neurobiology of Pain & Opioids

The Scherrer Lab investigates the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie pain perception and opioid analgesia. We study the sensory, emotional and cognitive dimensions of pain, and how opioids act in neural circuits to produce pain relief but also harmful side effects including addiction.

Our research uncovers the fundamental neurobiological processes by which our nervous system shapes pain experience and responds to opioids, at the genetic, molecular, cellular, neural circuit, and whole organism levels. Our goal is to build on these basic science discoveries to develop to novel therapeutics to reduce suffering pain more efficiently and with reduced side effects compared to current medications, and to prevent and treat opioid addiction.