Research summary
In the context of the current opioid epidemic, safe, effective management of chronic pain is an increasingly challenging but important goal. Dr. Anna Taylor, Canada Research Chair in Pain and Addiction, is trying to understand how both chronic pain and opioids can affect the brain.
Taylor is exploring how changes in the brain contribute to pain and whether they alter the effects of opioids. She and her research team are also exploring strategies to improve the efficacy of opioids while minimizing the risk of addiction, and developing new, non-addictive opioid agonists (addiction treatments) to treat pain without the likelihood of abuse. Their work will identify new targets for the treatment of chronic pain and lead to strategies for safe and effective opioid prescribing.