Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2025
01:37
A Preterm Rat Model for Pain Studies
Published on: February 9, 2024
459
Alterations in pain during adolescence and puberty
Hadas Nahman-Averbuch1, Rui Li2, Katelynn E Boerner3
1Washington University Pain Center and Division of Clinical and Translational Research, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
Trends in Neurosciences
|February 26, 2023
Summary
Adolescence brings changes in pain perception and experience. Understanding these biopsychosocial shifts is key for better adolescent pain management and interventions.
Area of Science:
- Pain research
- Adolescent development
- Biopsychosocial factors
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical period of transition from childhood to adulthood.
- Significant biopsychosocial changes occur during puberty and adolescence.
- Altered pain sensitivity and experiences are documented during this developmental stage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current literature on pain alterations in adolescents.
- To explore biopsychosocial factors influencing adolescent pain.
- To identify future research needs for adolescent pain management.
Main Methods:
- Literature synthesis and review.
- Analysis of experimental and clinical pain studies in adolescents.
- Identification of key developmental and psychosocial influences.
Main Results:
- Adolescence is characterized by significant changes in pain processing.
- Biopsychosocial factors play a crucial role in modulating adolescent pain.
- Existing research highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent development profoundly impacts pain perception and experience.
- Targeted pain interventions require consideration of adolescent biopsychosocial changes.
- Further research is essential to optimize pain management strategies for adolescents.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Signs of Puberty
505
Puberty is a critical phase, typically beginning between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys, though timing can vary based on genetics, environmental factors, and overall health. This period is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the attainment of reproductive potential. Endocrine changes underpin puberty, with hormonal surges of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) instigated by Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)...
505
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
94
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the...
94
01:20Pain
536
Pain serves as a critical warning signal that alerts the body to potential or actual harm. When mechanical pressure on the skin is intense, such as from a sharp pinch, the sensation transitions from touch to pain. Similarly, extreme temperatures, like a hot pot handle, convert the sensation of heat into pain. Pain can also result from overstimulation of other senses, such as blinding light, loud noise, or the intense heat from habañero peppers. This ability to sense pain is essential for...
536
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
705
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
705
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
2.1K
The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
2.1K
01:44Nociception
28.2K
Nociception—the ability to feel pain—is essential for an organism’s survival and overall well-being. Noxious stimuli such as piercing pain from a sharp object, heat from an open flame, or contact with corrosive chemicals are first detected by sensory receptors, called nociceptors, located on nerve endings. Nociceptors express ion channels that convert noxious stimuli into electrical signals. When these signals reach the brain via sensory neurons, they are perceived as pain.
28.2K