Biography

My research aims to identify the neural circuits that modulate the transmission of pain and its emotional consequences. Using a combination of in vivo electrophysiology, optogenetics/chemogenetics, behaviour and fMRI, I aim to understand how chronic pain and co-morbid mood disorders mutually reinforce. I am also interested in translational research and bridging the gap between bench and bedside.

In 2022 I won the Prof Anthony Mellows Medal/King's Prize Fellowship.

Please see my Research Staff Profile for more detail.

Find out more about my research:

• The Neural Tap

Key Publications:

• Trendafilova et al, 2022. Sodium-Calcium Exchanger-3 Regulates Pain ‘Wind-Up’: From Human Psychophysics to Spinal Mechanisms. Neuron.
• Patel et al, 2019. Neuropathy following spinal nerve injury shares features with the irritable nociceptor phenotype: A back-translational study of oxcarbazepine. European Journal of Pain.
• Patel et al, 2018. Selective deficiencies in descending inhibitory modulation in neuropathic rats: implications for enhancing noradrenergic tone. Pain. 
• Bannister et al, 2015. Diffuse noxious inhibitory controls and nerve injury: restoring an imbalance between descending monoamine inhibitions and facilitations. Pain.
• Patel et al, 2022. A back-translational study of descending interactions with central mechanisms of hyperalgesia induced by high frequency stimulation in rat and human. bioRxiv

View all publications

Key Collaborators:

• Dr Kirsty Bannister, King's College London
• Dr Diana Cash, King's College London
• Prof Esther Pogatzki-Zahn, University Hospital Muenster