Chronic pain, a widespread condition affecting one in five adults across Europe, represents a major societal and economic burden. Despite its prevalence, effective treatments remain limited, highlighting a critical need for non-pharmacological therapies that target the underlying mechanisms of pain. In response, the FRESCO4NoPain project is pioneering research into the potential of non-invasive brain neuromodulation as a novel treatment strategy for persistent pain.

The project’s central hypothesis is that maladaptive brain oscillatory activity plays a key role in the development and persistence of chronic pain. FRESCO4NoPain aims to offer a new therapeutic approach that could significantly improve the quality of life for millions of individuals affected by pain. 

To bring this vision to life, FRESCO4NoPain will bring together leading experts in pain neuroscience, training 17 early-career researchers i.e. Doctoral Candidates, (DCs) who will drive forward this innovative field. The DCs will be part of a unique, network-wide training program focused on cutting-edge research in non-invasive brain stimulation for persistent pain.

The research will focus on three core areas:

• Preclinical Studies: Brain circuitries, oscillations, and neuromodulation in pain.
• Human Experimental Studies: Human mechanisms of brain oscillations and neuromodulation in pain.
• Clinical Studies: Brain oscillations and neuromodulation in people with chronic pain.

FRESCO4NoPain offers DCs the opportunity to engage in a broad array of basic, experimental, and clinical research, supported by strong collaborations across both academic and non-academic sectors, ensuring that the research remains patient-focused and application-driven.

Through this comprehensive approach, FRESCO4NoPain will provide the next generation of pain scientists with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to push the boundaries of current treatments.