Nuno de Matos’ main research interests are the processes of pain perception in the human brain with an emphasis on orofacial pain. To elucidate the role of specific brain regions in pain processing at the molecular level, a sophisticated non-invasive method called magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is used. This approach enables the measurement of neurometabolites associated with essential processes on the global cellular and sub-cellular level. Hence, substances involved in neurotransmission, energy and cell membrane metabolism can be quantified.

His aim is the investigation of dynamic alterations in neurometabolite concentrations associated with the perception of acute experimental dental pain and static concentration changes linked to chronic orofacial pain.

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