Pharmacology and Toxicology professor Cathy Cahill, Canada Research Chair in Chronic Pain, is one of eight Canadian researchers to receive a prestigious Pfizer Canada Neuropathic Pain Research Award.

Pharmacoloy and Toxicology professor Cathy Cahill, Canada Research Chair in Chronic Pain, is one of eight Canadian researchers to receive a prestigious Pfizer Canada Neuropathic Pain Research Award. The program funds and supports independent neuropathic pain research in the areas of basic biomedical, clinical and health service and systems sciences. 

Dr. Cahill's research investigates the underlying mechanisms of chronic pain using behavioural, neuroanatomical and biochemical techniques. She focuses on the role of NMDA receptor-linked intracellular signalling cascades.

“This awards program recognizes the severity of neuropathic pain as a disease and the important work of some of Canada's leading researchers who are committed to understanding and learning more about neuropathic pain,” said awards committee chair John Clark, medical director of the Calgary Health Region Chronic Pain Centre.

Neuropathic pain is a disease caused by injury or dysfunction of the nerves, spinal cord or brain. It is estimated that over 2.2 million Canadians suffer from this chronic condition, often in combination with other types of pain such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and migraine headaches.