Mentored Patient-Oriented Research of Novel Mechanisms Linking Pain, Sleep-Wake Patterns, and Autonomic Activity in Rheumatic Diseases

Musculoskeletal pain is the leading cause of disability in the world, and the number one reason patients with arthritis visit healthcare providers. The proposed research will provide quality data on the association between sleep-wake patterns, parasympathetic activity, central nervous system regulatory pathways, and pain in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. The proposed research is relevant to the NIH’s mission because it will enable the applicant to continue and expand her patient-oriented research training program, thereby fostering the development, maintenance, and renewal of trained investigators, including, but not limited to, those with expertise in tackling the unmet need of treating and preventing chronic pain in patients with arthritis.