Moving beyond measures of pain intensity in preclinical models

Preclinical models of pain are valuable tools for discovering and identifying underlying mechanisms, identifying new pharmaceutical targets, and examining effects and mechanisms of existing and novel treatments. As pain is a complex experience that affects physical, psychological, and social function, expanding the preclinical repertoire of behavioral measures to complement the reflex testing could provide valuable insights into disease mechanisms and treatments. As pain varies between individuals, across time within individuals, and to existing treatments, understanding this variability within preclinical models is essential for translation to the clinical condition. Use of interdisciplinary teams, incorporating advances in technology and computer processing, human tissue samples, and biomarkers are likely to bridge the gap in translation and provide a more complete understanding of the complex pain experience. This article highlights advances in animal research and provides recommendations of approaches to enhance the value of preclinical research.