Approved Research

Integrating Omics and Neuroimaging to Explore Chronic Pain in Osteoarthritis: A Comprehensive Study Using UK Biobank Data

Lay summary

The objective of our research program is to uncover the mysteries of pain in patients who are suffering from knee, hip, and hand OA and develop improved methods for the treatment of chronic pain.  This will be achieved through the classification of OA patients based on their distinctive phenotypes and pain experiences. Drawing inspiration from the UK Biobank initiative, our project is dedicated to uncovering the root causes of chronic pain in the aftermath of OA and devising strategies to mitigate its impact.

Osteoarthritis, a condition causing chronic pain, significantly burdens healthcare systems and individuals' quality of life. Our primary objective is to investigate chronic pain's origin in OA, using the UK Biobank's data. This integrative study combines omics analyses, advanced neuroimaging, and clinical factors to understand why certain individuals are more susceptible to pain. By studying OA patients who develop pain, we aim to identify genetic, molecular, and neural factors triggering chronic pain. With genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic inquiries and neuroimaging, we gain fresh insights into pain's pathology. Our findings will enhance our understanding of the functional genomics and neural components contributing to chronic pain in various OA types. This insight can lead to personalized therapeutic approaches for more effective OA and chronic pain management, improving patients' quality of life.

This ambitious investigation constitutes a pivotal component of a PhD project in Medical Sciences at McMaster University.  It encompasses the intricate facets of data acquisition, processing, and the subsequent integration of diverse modalities. Given the intricacy of this endeavor, we anticipate a substantial duration for its completion. This timeline is essential to enable a rigorous analysis employing innovative methodological approaches. Ultimately, this project is fundamentally about aiding physicians in finding more effective ways to treat and prevent chronic pain in patients with OA. We intend to leverage cutting-edge scientific approaches and the wealth of data available through the UK Biobank to decipher the enigma of chronic pain in OA. By enhancing our understanding of chronic pain, we aspire to transform the lives of those grappling with knee, hip, and hand OA and offer a brighter, pain-free future.