RT Journal
A1 Friedrich MJ
T1 REsearch yields new insights into mechanisms and treatment of pain
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2012
FD January 18
VO 307
IS 3
SP 239
OP 241
DO 10.1001/jama.2011.1972
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2011.1972
AB 
In neither type of pain is the pathogenesis completely understood, and a comprehensive picture of the mechanisms underlying these pain states, as well as the long-term consequences of injury, is needed to develop more effective pain therapies. While the drugs available to treat chronic pain are occasionally effective, rarely are they able to alleviate pain completely, said Allan Basbaum, PhD, of the University of California at San Francisco. “Inevitably, they stop working for reasons we don't understand, or the adverse side effect profile of the treatment makes it impossible for the patient to tolerate it,” he said.