At the Intersection of Pain and Sleep: a Roadmap for Preclinical Pain Research

Abstract

The complex relationship between pain and sleep has received increasing attention for its therapeutic potential. Over half of chronic pain patients suffer from sleep disorders, and poor sleep is a strong predictor for pain in clinical populations. Understanding the bidirectional relationship between pain and sleep is crucial for developing improved clinical treatment strategies. This review provides (1) a primer on preclinical methods used to measure sleep behaviors, (2) an overview of neural circuits at the intersection of pain and sleep, and (3) considerations for future pain and sleep investigations and treatment strategies.