Meet the walkers: The Lewandowskis This is from one of our volunteers at the Facial Pain Research Foundation: My name is Miriana Lewandowski and my family and I are participating in Walk Your Face Off in honor of Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Month to support the Facial Pain Research Foundation. At age 63 my grandmother, Bernadette,
Millions of Steps Forward for Facial Pain Research! WALK YOUR FACE OFF! Join our MILLIONS OF STEPS FORWARD campaign! Facial Pain Awareness Month is October. We are using it to raise funds for research ONE STEP AT A TIME! October is Facial Pain Awareness Month. For the thirty-one days in October, the FPRF is offering
These are the details from the FPRF Symposium presentation regarding a potential rescue medication for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) breakthrough pain. Lightning Talk Overview: Dr. Stephen Bart (Vanderbilt Health) discussed a novel approach: combining guanfacine (usually used for high blood pressure and ADHD) and lidocaine (nerve block) as a nasal spray to help TN patients quickly
Supporters of the Facial Pain Research Foundation are raising funds for research through the Run Your Face Off (RYFO) program! Here we are highlighting our first two groups of runners, Ashleigh Burroughs (her mother has TN) and her team running the Cambridge Mass Half Marathon and Jordan Braamse (he has TN) running the London Marathon!
Highlights Automated Pain Measurement: Dr. Basbaum's lab developed an automated, machine-learning-based system (DeepLabCut) to objectively track and quantify pain-related behaviors in mice, enhancing the accuracy and reproducibility of results. Model Relevance: The FRICT-ION mouse model shows carbamazepine (a standard TN treatment) reverses pain symptoms, validating the model's relevance to human TN. Novel Drug Findings: Alpha-2A
Here are the main takeaways from the co-presentation by Dr. Donald Nixdorf and Dr. Suzie Bergman: 1. Diagnostic Challenges Facial pain can be caused by TN (a nerve condition) or TMD (muscle/joint issues), and the symptoms often overlap. Wrong diagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatments—dental, medical, or surgical—that may not provide relief. The 'telephone game'
FPRF Symposium 2026: Genetics of Trigeminal Neuralgia – Highlights Key Insights from Dr. Kim Burchiel’s Presentation Dr. Kim Burchiel and his multi-center team (US, Canada, UK) presented new genetic findings about trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Their research found that while TN symptoms (sharp, electric-shock-like facial pain) appear similar, the causes may be different: Older patients (>45)
Once a year, the Facial Pain Research Foundation (FPRF) brings together the world's leading scientists, clinicians, patient advocates and funders working developing improved diagnosis and therapies/cures for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and other facial pain conditions. The 2026 meeting was held in Chicago and lasted three days. The first evening was a chance for individuals
The Facial Pain Research Foundation is pleased to announce the agenda for the 2026 Facial Pain Research Foundation Scientific Symposium. The FPRF is gathering international experts in academic research and clinical care, community-based clinical care, biotech therapy development, plus our FPRF science advisors, those living with facial pain, caregivers, and the FPRF board members and
The Facial Pain Research Foundation (FPRF) announces the appointment of Dr. Bruce Bloom as its executive director. Dr. Bloom brings extensive experience in healthcare innovation, patient advocacy, and biomedical research. He joins at a pivotal moment as the Foundation expands its efforts to accelerate research, advance therapeutic development, and improve the lives of people living
