FRS 004 — Sec. 010 — (2 unit) — CRN 26066 — R 10:00-11:50am — 1106 Hart
Pain and Pleasure

Instructor: Steven Jinks, Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, School of Medicine

Description: Pain is the number one reason why patients seek medical attention and often destroys the lives of chronic pain sufferers and their families. This course will focus on the neurobiology of pain as a sensory system important to survival, as well as the treatment of pathological chronic pain. Many pain-killers are also drugs of abuse, and therefore addiction and interactions between pain and reward systems in the brain and spinal cord will also be discussed. Coursework will consist of class participation in discussions related to topics presented in class or from reading, two oral presentations, and one written project. The goals of this course are to give students a better understanding of the purpose and function of the pain system, the consequences and treatment strategies for pain when it becomes pathological, and how pain and reward systems interact both for the treatment of pain and the development of addiction. A better understanding of these sensory, psycho-social, and emotional aspects of pain will provide students with insight into dealing with and treating potential pain conditions that they or their loved ones might suffer from.

Format: The seminar will meet for two hours each week. The time will be divided between informal lecture presentations, discussion, and student presentations. Reading material will be provided. The required text for the course is “The War on Pain”, by Scott Fishman. Grading: Students will be required to prepare a short paper on a topic to be chosen in consultation with the instructor. The course grade will be based on the quality of their written paper -- 5 to 7 pages (1/3) and oral presentations (1/3) and on the frequency and quality of their participation in class discussion (1/3).

About the Instructor: Professor Steve Jinks is a member of the faculty in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. His research interests include the neurobiology of pain and general anesthetic action. Current projects include neurophysiological and pharmacological studies of how anesthetics disrupt sensorimotor processing in the brain and spinal cord, treatment of pain with novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and the consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure on pain system development and analgesic requirements.