Pain, Pain Go Away (Episode 142)

Guest: John "Kip" Kramer

Today we are talking to Dr. John “Kip” Kramer about neuropathic pain. Dr. Kramer is a Principal Investigator and Associate Director of Operations at the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries or iCORD at the University of British Columbia. His research interests include: neuropathic pain, anesthesiology, MRI, outcome measures and clinical trials. 

In this discussion we cover Kip’s background and interest in SCI, what we know about the mechanisms, presentation and measurement of neuropathic pain, the research that is currently addressing pain and what is on the horizon. Beyond being a subject matter expert, Kip is a great conversationalist and I think you will enjoy this discussion!
 

Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Soundcloud

Bumper music: Dig a Hole & Caged by Freaque

Guest Bio

Dr. John "Kip" Kramer is a Principal Investigator and the Associate Director of Operations at ICORD at the University of British Columbia. His current research interests are focused on understanding the relationships between spinal cord injuries and neuropathic pain. Historically, pain has been measured from “yes or no” scores generated from pinprick stimulation. This approach, however, represents only one way that peripheral touch can be interpreted by the spinal cord sensory pathway. Dr. Kramer has made several important contributions to the validation of a newer technique known as Contact Heat Evoked Potential stimulation (CHEPs). CHEPs provides recordings of electrical signals reaching the brain, allowing complementary information regarding the spinal cord sensory pathway to be identified. As part of Dr. Kramer’s ongoing research program, advanced neuroimaging and quantitative sensory testing techniques will continue to be developed to better understand how changes in the central nervous system (CNS) relate to the development of neuropathic pain. Using large SCI datasets, he is exploring the relationship between pain, neurological recovery, and other secondary health outcomes (e.g., cardiovascular disease). His research program will enable implementation of novel interventions aimed at improving outcomes and quality of life for people with SCI.

Connect with Kip Kramer here: