The perception of pain represents an important warning function of the body and protects it from potential damage. Volker Eulenburg and his research group are investigating how the central nervous system processes environment derived stimuli and discriminate between painful and not painful stimuli. In this context his team is interested how maladaptation especially of inhibitory neurons in this system contribute to facilitated pain responses observed in chronic pain conditions. This information will be used as a starting point to develop new treatment strategies for the treatment of chronic pain.