Meeting Reviews

Science of Pain

By Michelle Sckolnick Kars, MD and Galaxy Li, MD

L-R: Jeffrey L. Galinkin, MD, FAAP; R. Scott Dingeman, MD, FAAP; Galaxy Li, MD; Michelle S. Kars, MD; Senthilkumar Sadhasivam, MD, MPH

The "Science of Pain" morning session featured two outstanding speakers, Jeffrey L. Galinkin, MD and Sentilkumar Sadhasivam, MD, who spoke about their current research in cannabis and personalized opioid risk reduction respectively.

Dr. Galinkin from the University of Colorado kicked off our morning session with the fascinating “Great Colorado Experiment.”   There are no pediatric or adolescent studies currently published on the efficacy and safety of cannabis, however, there is a need for better understanding of its potential harms and benefits.  Dr. Galinkin demonstrated how he and his team conduct observational research on the ‘front lines’ in their mobile research lab and talked about the challenges of a rapidly changing legal market.  He reviewed ongoing research across the country and its future direction.  We look forward to more studies on its medicinal use in pediatrics.

Dr. Sadhasivam from Riley Hospital for Children educated us about his current research on personalized opioid risk reduction.  He reviewed the efficacy and limitations of opioids, as well as medico-legal implications.  Dr. Sadhasivam highlighted his research on both genetic and non-genetic factors involved in individual variation in opioid analgesia and adverse effects. This will allow anesthesiologists to identify high risk patients and target their interventions.  He also discussed new opioids with improved safety profiles.  In the future, this exciting research will allow us to provide personalized analgesia.