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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Ian Sample Science editor

Scientists discover brain signals for chronic pain

A frontal X-ray of one of the study’s participants, showing (red) implanted brain electrodes connected to recording implants on each side.
A frontal X-ray of one of the study’s participants, showing (red) implanted brain electrodes connected to recording implants on each side. Photograph: Prasad Shirvalkar

Brain signals that reveal how much pain a person is in have been discovered by scientists who say the work is a step towards radical new treatments for people living with debilitating chronic pain.

It is the first time researchers have decoded the brain activity underlying chronic pain in patients, raising hopes that brain stimulation therapies already used for Parkinson’s and major depression can help those who have run out of other options.

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