Intramural Labs

The Intramural Labs Program at NCCIH conducts basic, clinical, and translational research focusing on the role of the brain in perceiving, modifying, and managing pain. Research projects include investigating the role of the brain in pain processing and control, and how factors such as emotion, attention, environment, and genetics affect pain perception.

The program includes research that explores how chronic pain produces changes in the brain that can modify how the brain reacts to pain medications like opioids. Commonly used complementary practices to control pain, such as meditation and yoga, are also investigated.

Affective Neuroscience and Pain Lab
Chief: Lauren Y. Atlas, Ph.D.

This lab focuses on characterizing the psychological and neural mechanisms by which expectations and other cognitive and affective factors influence pain, emotional experience, and clinical outcomes.

Pain Neurocircuitry and Cellular Plasticity Lab
Chief: Yarimar Carrasquillo, Ph.D.

This lab seeks to identify brain mechanisms underlying bidirectional modulation of pain and in determining whether these processes are sex dependent.

Sensory Cells and Circuits Lab
Chief: Alexander Chesler, Ph.D.

This lab is interested in how sensory input is detected and processed by the brain to evoke specific behaviors.