Neuroclub 2025 Seminar 3

A Leeds Neuroscience Research monthly seminar series to showcase and discuss the exciting research generated across our community

Supported by the British Neuroscience Association

Alongside pizzas, this week we have:

Varinder Lall: "Harnessing Electrical Stimulation to Modulate Pain"

Chronic pain affects millions worldwide, yet existing treatments often fail to provide lasting relief due to gaps in our understanding of pain processing. My research focuses on how electrical stimulation (neuromodulation) at the periphery can be used to reduce pain at its source.

To achieve this, I have developed a novel experimental technique, here at Leeds, that enables real-time recordings from peripheral nerves, and one which doesn’t require the ongoing use of anaesthesia. This approach allows me to investigate how pain signals are filtered at the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) during electrical stimulation and will allow me to refine this neuromodulation to produce effective pain relief in various pain types and diseases.

By bridging fundamental neurophysiology with translational research, my work aims to advance our understanding of peripheral pain mechanisms and drive the development of more precise, long-lasting treatments for chronic pain sufferers without central nervous system-associated side effects.

Jamie Johnston: “Neural strategies for object encoding in different contexts”

Jamie Johnston, an Associate Professor of Neuroscience, will present on the neural adaptations associated with odour object learning and the olfactory system’s ability to adjust its sensitivity to its surroundings.