Login to Complete an Application or to Access Judging Panel
Plenary sessions at the 2026 World Congress on Pain will feature international experts sharing insights into pain research, treatment, and management. These sessions will engage World Congress attendees by spotlighting critical advances and big-picture themes in pain science.
The Gut Brain Axis and Visceral Pain Mechanisms
Stuart Brierley, PhD, will discuss cutting-edge findings in chronic visceral pain mechanisms. This talk explores how interactions between the gastrointestinal system and the nervous system contribute to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and other chronic abdominal pain disorders. Attendees will gain insight into emerging therapeutic targets for visceral pain relief.
Stuart Brierley, PhD
University of Adelaide, Australia
Combat Injuries, the Relationship Between Pain, PTSD, and Post-Traumatic Growth
Nicola Fear, PhD, explores the concept of post-traumatic growth and its relevance to chronic pain outcomes. She examines whether positive psychological changes after trauma can be harnessed to improve pain management strategies. Drawing on her expertise with military and veteran populations, she also considers how experiences of trauma and resilience inform the treatment of chronic pain.
Nicola Fear, PhD
King’s College London, UK
Advances in Research on Combination Therapy for the Management of Pain
Ian Gilron, MD, MSc, FRCPC, reviews the latest evidence on using combination therapies to treat acute and chronic pain. This talk covers how different analgesic medications and modalities can be combined to provide more effective relief than monotherapy. He discusses recent clinical trials guiding optimized multi-modal pain management, for conditions ranging from postoperative pain to neuropathic pain.
Ian Gilron, MD, MSc, FRCPC
Queen’s University, Canada
Brain Sites Involved in Endogenous Analgesia
Luke Henderson, PhD, illuminates the brain’s intrinsic pain-suppression pathways (endogenous analgesia) through the lens of neuroimaging. He identifies key brain regions and circuits that activate to dampen pain signals, discussing how variations in these systems might explain differences in pain tolerance. Understanding these neural mechanisms may inform new therapies that enhance the body’s natural pain control systems.
Luke Henderson, PhD
University of Sydney, Australia
Physiological and Functional Aspects of Neuropathic Pain
Angelika Lampert, MD, will delve into how voltage-gated sodium channels drive pain signaling and how they can be targeted for pain relief. She describes the physiological roles of specific sodium channel subtypes in nerve excitability and neuropathic pain. The presentation also explores the potential of channel-specific therapies and personalized approaches for patients with pain linked to sodium channel dysfunctions.
Angelika Lampert, MD
Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Germany
Reciprocal Regulation of Pain and Glymphatic Function
Maiken Nedergaard, MD, DMSc, discusses the brain’s glymphatic waste-clearance system and its implications for pain. She explains why healthy sleep is crucial for modulating pain, examining how impaired glymphatic function might contribute to chronic pain states. This cutting-edge lecture links neuroscience of sleep and pain, suggesting that improving glymphatic activity and sleep quality could open new avenues for pain treatment.
Maiken Nedergaard, MD, DMSc
Rochester University, Denmark
Enhancing the Trustworthiness of Pain Research: A Call to Action
Neil O’Connell, PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons), will address the critical issue of scientific rigor and reproducibility in pain research. He outlines challenges posed by bias and irreproducibility in current studies and introduces initiatives (such as the ENTRUST-PE project) aimed at improving research credibility. This lecture calls on the pain research community to adopt better practices that enhance the quality and impact of pain science.
Neil O’Connell, PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons)
Brunel University London, UK
Exercise Therapy for Chronic Pain: Basic Science and Clinical Practice
Emiko Senba, MD, PhD, explores why exercise is a powerful tool in chronic pain management from both scientific and clinical perspectives. She reviews how physical exercise influences the nervous system and can lead to long-term pain reduction (through mechanisms of exercise-induced hypoalgesia). The session also provides practical insights into integrating exercise programs into pain treatment plans for better patient outcomes.
Emiko Senba, MD, PhD
Osaka University, Japan
Advancing Equitable Pain Research and Care Globally
Saurab Sharma, PhD, addresses the challenges and opportunities of bringing high-value, evidence-based pain care to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Focusing on prevalent conditions like low back pain and musculoskeletal pain, he shares strategies for implementing effective treatments in resource-limited settings. The talk highlights global collaborations and health system innovations aimed at improving pain outcomes for underserved populations worldwide.
Saurab Sharma, PhD
University of Sydney, Australia
Reimagining Paediatric Pain Care: Toward a Mechanistic and Patient-Centered Future
Laura Simons, PhD, presents a vision for the future of pediatric pain management that merges scientific insight with patient-centered care. She reviews emerging mechanistic findings in pediatric pain and how they inform more effective, individualized treatments for children and adolescents. The talk highlights innovative approaches that empower young patients and their families in managing pain.
Laura Simons, PhD
Stanford University, USA