A perfect storm: it can erupt at any time if a variety of factors interact just right. Stress, sleep deprivation, muscle tension, bright lights and strong smells work together – and against you – to stimulate pain pathways bringing about a migraine attack.

In the world of Dr. Paul Durham, distinguished professor of cell biology and director of the Center for Biomedical and Life Sciences, that is the “perfect storm” model. In this model, each factor plays a role in making the nerves more hyperactive and sensitive, until one of them tips the balance.

Durham and his team research why nerve cells become hyperactive and why they cause pain. They test how cells react with various drugs and note how pain moves from acute to chronic.

Durham recently won a grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue his research in this field.

This ground breaking research is a point of pride for Missouri State University.