The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (N C C A M): Part of the National Institutes of Health

NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health®

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Division of Intramural Research

The Division of Intramural Research Program (DIR) at NCCAM conducts basic, clinical, and translational research focusing on the role of the brain in perceiving, modifying, and managing pain. Research projects include investigating the role of the brain in pain processing and control, and how factors such as emotion, attention, environment, and genetics affect pain perception. The program includes research that explores how chronic pain produces changes in the brain that can modify how the brain reacts to pain medications like opioids. Commonly used complementary practices to control pain, such as meditation and yoga, are also investigated. 

The program is an integrated basic science and clinical research effort, conducted at the behavioral, systems and cellular levels, exploiting the state-of-the-art research tools and resources at the NIH. Projects involve collaborative efforts with other intramural neuroscience, imaging, and mental and behavioral health research programs. Chronic pain disorders studied include fibromyalgia, back pain, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis and more. The NCCAM DIR provides a rich environment for the training and development of clinical and basic scientists.

Videocast: Demystifying Medicine Series, Pain: How It Happens and What Can Be Done? February 12, 2013

Job Opening: Tenure Track Position in Pain Research

Press Release: Renowned Researcher to Lead New Multidisciplinary Pain Program at NIH (07/12/2012)

Audio Interview: NCCAM Intramural Pain Research Program—Researching Pain and Treatment Approaches (10.47MB)


Scientific Director: M. Catherine Bushnell, Ph.D.
Phone:  301-451-2026

Division of Intramural Research
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
National Institutes of Health
Bldg. 10, CRC, Room 4-1743 MSC 1302
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1302