Latest news with #Fabrizi
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Doctors Studied How Babies Feel Pain—the Results Were Surprising
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new University College London study reveals that a newborn's response to pain is more complex and less conscious than previously thought. Researchers have discovered that while premature babies can physically feel pain, they lack the emotional and cognitive capacity to fully interpret or understand it—an insight that could reshape how neonatal care is approached in hospitals around the world. "Pain is a complex experience with physical, emotional and cognitive elements," said lead author and neuroscientist professor Lorenzo Fabrizi in a statement. Little infant tired and hungry, start crying standing in crib, looking aside at empty space Little infant tired and hungry, start crying standing in crib, looking aside at empty space Prostock-Studio In adults, pain processing involves a network of brain regions known as the 'pain connectome', where each part contributes to different aspects of the pain experience. "In newborn babies, this network is underdeveloped, which could mean that pain experience in newborns is totally different from the way we, as adults, understand it," Fabrizi explained. In their study, the researchers used advanced MRI data from more than 370 preterm and full-term infants—some as early as 32 weeks gestation—to analyze how the brain's pain connectome forms over time. This network of brain regions, responsible for sensing, reacting to and cognitively evaluating pain, matures in stages with different components developing at different points before and after birth. Fabrizi and his colleagues focused on three major components of pain processing: Sensory-discriminative (identifying where and how intense the pain is), affective-motivational (the emotional response to pain) and cognitive-evaluative (interpreting and understanding the meaning of pain). Their findings suggest that the ability to simply feel pain—the sensory-discriminative network—begins to resemble adult levels of connectivity between 34 and 36 weeks after conception, but the emotional and interpretive responses lag behind. At around 36 to 38 weeks, the affective-motivational network matures, allowing infants to recognize pain as unpleasant or threatening. However, the cognitive-evaluative network—responsible for contextualizing or "understanding" pain—doesn't reach adult-like maturity until well beyond 42 weeks, meaning even full-term newborns aren't fully capable of interpreting pain experiences. "These results challenge assumptions about the completeness of infant pain perception and raise new concerns about how pain is managed in neonatal care," Fabrizi said. The study builds on earlier findings by the same research team who reported in 2023 that premature babies don't habituate to repeated pain, such as from medical procedures. In essence, their brain does not "adjust" or reduce its response to ongoing painful stimuli. The new research helps explain why. Without mature cognitive or emotional pain-processing systems, premature infants may feel the same pain repeatedly without developing coping mechanisms or psychological resilience. "Our results suggest that preterm babies may be particularly vulnerable to painful medical procedures during critical stages of brain development," Fabrizi said. This emphasizes the importance of informed pediatric care, including tailored pain management and carefully timed medical interventions, he concluded. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about neuroscience? Let us know via science@ Reference Jones, L., Batalle, D., Meek, J., Edwards, A. D., Fitzgerald, M., Arichi, T., & Fabrizi, L. (2022). Differential maturation of the brain networks required for the sensory, emotional, and cognitive aspects of pain in human newborns. PAIN.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
New study reveals infants feel pain before they can understand it
London: A groundbreaking study from University College London (UCL) has revealed that newborns are capable of sensing pain well before they can cognitively understand or emotionally react to it. The findings, published in the journal Pain, offer new insights into how infants' brains develop the ability to process pain and have significant implications for neonatal care, especially for preterm babies. The research, led by Professor Lorenzo Fabrizi of UCL's Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, explored how different components of pain perception emerge in early life. "Pain is a complex experience with physical, emotional, and cognitive elements," Fabrizi explained, adding, "In adults, the brain regions involved in pain, known collectively as the ' pain connectome ', work together to create the full experience. In newborns, this network is still maturing, which may mean their experience of pain is vastly different from ours." The team analysed brain scans from 372 infants, many born prematurely, using data from two of the largest infant brain imaging projects: the Developing Human Connectome Project and the Human Connectome Project. All infants were scanned within their first two weeks of life to ensure that the results reflected natural brain development rather than the influence of postnatal experiences. Researchers focused on three specific brain networks related to pain processing: Sensory-discriminative: Responsible for identifying and locating pain. Affective-motivational: Governs the emotional response to pain. Cognitive-evaluative: Handles the interpretation and judgment of pain. Findings showed that the sensory-discriminative network matures first, typically between 34 and 36 weeks after conception. This means that even premature infants can detect pain stimuli, though they may struggle to pinpoint where the pain is coming from. Next, the affective-motivational network, which gives pain its unpleasant emotional quality, reaches functional maturity around 36 to 38 weeks. However, the cognitive-evaluative network, crucial for understanding the significance of pain, doesn't fully mature until after 42 weeks, meaning that full-term newborns still lack the brain development needed for complete pain comprehension. These findings are especially relevant in medical settings. A prior study from the same team in 2023 found that premature infants do not show signs of habituating to repeated medical procedures; they continue to react as though the pain is new each time. This latest study suggests that the immaturity of certain brain networks could explain that phenomenon. "Our results suggest that preterm babies may be particularly vulnerable to painful medical procedures during critical stages of brain development," said Professor Fabrizi, adding, "This highlights the need for pain management strategies that are tailored to a baby's stage of neural development." The study was funded by the UK's Medical Research Council and involved collaboration with researchers from UCLH and King's College London. These findings could help reshape clinical protocols for neonatal care, especially for the most vulnerable infants, by encouraging more precise pain management and timing of interventions.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
New study reveals infants feel pain before they can understand it
A groundbreaking study from University College London (UCL) has revealed that newborns are capable of sensing pain well before they can cognitively understand or emotionally react to it. The findings, published in the journal Pain, offer new insights into how infants' brains develop the ability to process pain and have significant implications for neonatal care, especially for preterm babies. The research, led by Professor Lorenzo Fabrizi of UCL's Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, explored how different components of pain perception emerge in early life. 'Pain is a complex experience with physical, emotional, and cognitive elements,' Fabrizi explained, adding, 'In adults, the brain regions involved in pain, known collectively as the 'pain connectome', work together to create the full experience. In newborns, this network is still maturing, which may mean their experience of pain is vastly different from ours.' The team analysed brain scans from 372 infants, many born prematurely, using data from two of the largest infant brain imaging projects: the Developing Human Connectome Project and the Human Connectome Project. All infants were scanned within their first two weeks of life to ensure that the results reflected natural brain development rather than the influence of postnatal experiences. Researchers focused on three specific brain networks related to pain processing: Sensory-discriminative: Responsible for identifying and locating pain. Affective-motivational: Governs the emotional response to pain. Cognitive-evaluative: Handles the interpretation and judgment of pain. Findings showed that the sensory-discriminative network matures first, typically between 34 and 36 weeks after conception. This means that even premature infants can detect pain stimuli, though they may struggle to pinpoint where the pain is coming from. Next, the affective-motivational network, which gives pain its unpleasant emotional quality, reaches functional maturity around 36 to 38 weeks. However, the cognitive-evaluative network, crucial for understanding the significance of pain, doesn't fully mature until after 42 weeks, meaning that full-term newborns still lack the brain development needed for complete pain comprehension. These findings are especially relevant in medical settings. A prior study from the same team in 2023 found that premature infants do not show signs of habituating to repeated medical procedures; they continue to react as though the pain is new each time. This latest study suggests that the immaturity of certain brain networks could explain that phenomenon. 'Our results suggest that preterm babies may be particularly vulnerable to painful medical procedures during critical stages of brain development,' said Professor Fabrizi, adding, 'This highlights the need for pain management strategies that are tailored to a baby's stage of neural development.' The study was funded by the UK's Medical Research Council and involved collaboration with researchers from UCLH and King's College London. These findings could help reshape clinical protocols for neonatal care, especially for the most vulnerable infants, by encouraging more precise pain management and timing of interventions.
Mint
2 days ago
- Health
- Mint
New study reveals infants feel pain before they can understand it
London [UK], June 19 (ANI): A groundbreaking study from University College London (UCL) has revealed that newborns are capable of sensing pain well before they can cognitively understand or emotionally react to it. The findings, published in the journal Pain, offer new insights into how infants' brains develop the ability to process pain and have significant implications for neonatal care, especially for preterm babies. The research, led by Professor Lorenzo Fabrizi of UCL's Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, explored how different components of pain perception emerge in early life. "Pain is a complex experience with physical, emotional, and cognitive elements," Fabrizi explained, adding, "In adults, the brain regions involved in pain, known collectively as the 'pain connectome', work together to create the full experience. In newborns, this network is still maturing, which may mean their experience of pain is vastly different from ours." The team analysed brain scans from 372 infants, many born prematurely, using data from two of the largest infant brain imaging projects: the Developing Human Connectome Project and the Human Connectome Project. All infants were scanned within their first two weeks of life to ensure that the results reflected natural brain development rather than the influence of postnatal experiences. Researchers focused on three specific brain networks related to pain processing: Sensory-discriminative: Responsible for identifying and locating pain. Affective-motivational: Governs the emotional response to pain. Cognitive-evaluative: Handles the interpretation and judgment of pain. Findings showed that the sensory-discriminative network matures first, typically between 34 and 36 weeks after conception. This means that even premature infants can detect pain stimuli, though they may struggle to pinpoint where the pain is coming from. Next, the affective-motivational network, which gives pain its unpleasant emotional quality, reaches functional maturity around 36 to 38 weeks. However, the cognitive-evaluative network, crucial for understanding the significance of pain, doesn't fully mature until after 42 weeks, meaning that full-term newborns still lack the brain development needed for complete pain comprehension. These findings are especially relevant in medical settings. A prior study from the same team in 2023 found that premature infants do not show signs of habituating to repeated medical procedures; they continue to react as though the pain is new each time. This latest study suggests that the immaturity of certain brain networks could explain that phenomenon. "Our results suggest that preterm babies may be particularly vulnerable to painful medical procedures during critical stages of brain development," said Professor Fabrizi, adding, "This highlights the need for pain management strategies that are tailored to a baby's stage of neural development." The study was funded by the UK's Medical Research Council and involved collaboration with researchers from UCLH and King's College London. These findings could help reshape clinical protocols for neonatal care, especially for the most vulnerable infants, by encouraging more precise pain management and timing of interventions. (ANI)
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Coleen Fabrizi retiring as Corning Gaffer District director. What's next for organization
For the first time in nearly two decades, Corning's Gaffer District will have new leadership later this year. Coleen Fabrizi, executive director of the Corning Gaffer District for the past 18 years, recently announced she will retire from the position in early June. Chris Sharkey, a former Gaffer District Board Chair and retired president of Corning Enterprises, said Fabrizi was instrumental in building up the downtown marketing organization. The Gaffer District's mission is to "enhance the overall economic vitality, community character, and physical sustainability of Corning's Downtown via the collaboration of public and private stakeholders." 'Coleen is the one that has really built that organization in the Gaffer District,' said Sharkey. 'She really has made it into what it is today. She will leave an extraordinary legacy, both in terms of the organization she has built and the mark she's left on our downtown.' Joe Carey, owner of Carey's Brew House and a member of the Corning Gaffer District Board of Directors, said the board will meet in the next 10 days to start the process of finding someone to fill the important role of executive director. 'Coleen has done a great job over the years leading us in the right direction,' Carey said. Fabrizi, who formerly worked at the Corning Area Chamber of Commerce, was the fourth executive director of the Corning Gaffer District. The first director was Stacy Pair, the second was Toni Trottier, and the third was Sharkey. More: How The Rockwell Museum's new executive director is making her mark. Meet Erin Coe. Carey said Fabrizi leaving the post in early June will give the Gaffer District Board of Directors time to find a suitable replacement. The Gaffer District is instrumental in community events like Cabin Fever, GlassFest, the Summer Downtown series, Harvest Fest and Crystal City Christmas. This article originally appeared on The Leader: Corning Gaffer District executive director Coleen Fabrizi retiring
