Spinal Cord Injury Ask an Expert: Central Sensitization

In this Ask an Expert session, Kip Kramer shares some informtion and leads a discussion on central sensitization
BIOS:

Dr. Kramer’s 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.

On September 1, 2020, Dr. Kramer became an Assistant Professor with the Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics at the University of British Columbia. He majored in Kinesiology for his B.Sc. undergraduate degree major at the University of Calgary, and then turned his focus to neuroscience for graduate research. He obtained a M.Sc. degree from the University of Western Ontario and completed his Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Kramer spent the next two years as a postdoctoral fellow, first at the Spinal Cord Injury Center in Uniklinic Balgrist (University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland), and then as a Senior Research Fellow at the Hulse Spinal Cord Injury Laboratory in the Shepherd Center (Atlanta, Georgia, USA). From 2014 to 2020, he was an Assistant Professor in UBC’s School of Kinesiology.

Section Links:
0:00 -Intro
0:03 -Start of presentation
41:38 -Q & A

ABOUT US

Spinal Cord Injury BC (SCI BC) is a non-profit organization that works to help people with spinal cord injuries and their families adjust, adapt, and thrive after life-changing injury or disease, through peer support and information resources. We operate in British Columbia, Canada. This session is part of our online peer support program which features social, fitness, educational, and entertaining sessions provided for people with SCI and similar disabilities. For more information, contact [email protected] or 1-800-689-2477 and check out our events calendar to get involved!: www.sci-bc.ca/events

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