Markman Recognized for Contributions to Pain Research

John Markman, M.D., has been named the 2022 Mitchell Max Scientific Award recipient for his contributions to pain research by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN).  Markman is a professor of Neurosurgery and Neurology director of the Translational Pain Research Program, and chief of the Division of Pain Medicine.

In announcing the award, the Academy cited the impact of randomized controlled studies led by Markman in furthering the scientific understanding of the efficacy and safety of treatments for chronic low back pain and for chronic pain resulting from nerve injury. Markman has led more than fifty clinical trials that examined new methods and treatments for chronic pain. His team has devised standardized ways of assessing chronic pain that emphasize tolerability over intensity. Recent investigation from the group examines treatment response based on changes in skin sensation after nerve trauma, identifies the patients most likely to benefit from neuromodulation devices, and demonstrates the promise of antibody-based treatments for chronic pain.  In addition to these efforts, Markman currently directs one of the nation’s 12 NIH HEAL Initiative clinical trial hubs pursuing novel, non-opioid treatments for chronic pain.

The Translational Pain Research Program,  which was founded and is led by Markman, was recognized by the American Pain Society as the nation’s Academic Center of Excellence in 2013 for its innovative, multidisciplinary patient care and his outstanding clinical teaching was cited in 2010 by the American College of Clinical Chemistry. Markman has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and delivers invited lectures on the diagnosis and treatment of pain worldwide. Over the course of his career, Markman has served as a special government employee of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and on the editorial boards of the Journal of Pain and Pain Medicine.

The 2022 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology will be held April 2-7, 2022, in Seattle, Washington.  Established in 1948, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is an international professional association of more than 38,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care.