Nesia Zurek, PhD
@docnessmonster.bsky.social
Pain rerouted my life - so I made it my work.
Neuro nerd. Chronic illness realist.
I believe rest is power, science is for everyone, and the body knows more than we’re taught to trust.
Neuro nerd. Chronic illness realist.
I believe rest is power, science is for everyone, and the body knows more than we’re taught to trust.
Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum
October 23, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum
Keyword: Dudes? I would love to see more non-men (including women, non-binary, intersex, etc scientists) receive the top prize.
September 12, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Keyword: Dudes? I would love to see more non-men (including women, non-binary, intersex, etc scientists) receive the top prize.
Congrats! I would love to talk with you one on one about what it's like to do research in Poland! Sent you a message on LinkedIn!
September 8, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Congrats! I would love to talk with you one on one about what it's like to do research in Poland! Sent you a message on LinkedIn!
🔍How do we test for biomarkers?
Usually through blood samples - looking for proteins, cytokines, or other molecules.
It's still early days in the pain field, but blood-based biomarkers may one day help personalize pain treatments.
#HealthResearch #ChronicPain
Usually through blood samples - looking for proteins, cytokines, or other molecules.
It's still early days in the pain field, but blood-based biomarkers may one day help personalize pain treatments.
#HealthResearch #ChronicPain
September 3, 2025 at 2:59 PM
🔍How do we test for biomarkers?
Usually through blood samples - looking for proteins, cytokines, or other molecules.
It's still early days in the pain field, but blood-based biomarkers may one day help personalize pain treatments.
#HealthResearch #ChronicPain
Usually through blood samples - looking for proteins, cytokines, or other molecules.
It's still early days in the pain field, but blood-based biomarkers may one day help personalize pain treatments.
#HealthResearch #ChronicPain
This! If you read the paper they also were able to ID potential therapeutics based on the biomarkers. Spoiler, the therapeutics were not traditional analgesics. Though something like this is years (maybe even decades) from the clinic, this is huge first step!
August 30, 2025 at 1:20 PM
This! If you read the paper they also were able to ID potential therapeutics based on the biomarkers. Spoiler, the therapeutics were not traditional analgesics. Though something like this is years (maybe even decades) from the clinic, this is huge first step!
3/ DRG are where sensory neurons, including nociceptors, send their signals to the spinal cord.
August 27, 2025 at 6:32 PM
3/ DRG are where sensory neurons, including nociceptors, send their signals to the spinal cord.
2/ Here is what the human spinal cord and real DRG look like in humans! Image from human donor and our journal cover in www.jpain.org/article/S152.... White arrows show the DRG, the same clusters shown in the cartoon above.
August 27, 2025 at 6:30 PM
2/ Here is what the human spinal cord and real DRG look like in humans! Image from human donor and our journal cover in www.jpain.org/article/S152.... White arrows show the DRG, the same clusters shown in the cartoon above.
6 📖 Read the full study here! www.jci.org/articles/vie...
JCI - Cell and molecular profiles in peripheral nerves shift toward inflammatory phenotypes in diabetic peripheral neuropathy
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www.jci.org
August 22, 2025 at 3:20 PM
6 📖 Read the full study here! www.jci.org/articles/vie...
5/ 💡 Toward personalized care:
The study shows that inflammation is the earliest shift in diabetic nerve damage.
Controlling it early may prevent the cascade.
This opens a window for preventive intervention.
The study shows that inflammation is the earliest shift in diabetic nerve damage.
Controlling it early may prevent the cascade.
This opens a window for preventive intervention.
August 22, 2025 at 3:19 PM
5/ 💡 Toward personalized care:
The study shows that inflammation is the earliest shift in diabetic nerve damage.
Controlling it early may prevent the cascade.
This opens a window for preventive intervention.
The study shows that inflammation is the earliest shift in diabetic nerve damage.
Controlling it early may prevent the cascade.
This opens a window for preventive intervention.
4/ 🧠 Why it matters:
This work reveals a progressive cascade:
🧱 Perineurial disruption →
🔥 Immune infiltration →
🧵 Fibrotic remodeling →
📉 Schwann cell loss
Each stage offers a window for intervention.
This work reveals a progressive cascade:
🧱 Perineurial disruption →
🔥 Immune infiltration →
🧵 Fibrotic remodeling →
📉 Schwann cell loss
Each stage offers a window for intervention.
August 22, 2025 at 3:16 PM
4/ 🧠 Why it matters:
This work reveals a progressive cascade:
🧱 Perineurial disruption →
🔥 Immune infiltration →
🧵 Fibrotic remodeling →
📉 Schwann cell loss
Each stage offers a window for intervention.
This work reveals a progressive cascade:
🧱 Perineurial disruption →
🔥 Immune infiltration →
🧵 Fibrotic remodeling →
📉 Schwann cell loss
Each stage offers a window for intervention.
3/ 🧬 What did they find?
Inflammation dominates: IL6, IL1B, CXCL2 were upregulated in DPN nerves
Fibrosis follows: TGF-β and Tenascin signaling increased in late-stage axonal loss
Sensory nerves are hit hardest, especially the sural nerve
Inflammation dominates: IL6, IL1B, CXCL2 were upregulated in DPN nerves
Fibrosis follows: TGF-β and Tenascin signaling increased in late-stage axonal loss
Sensory nerves are hit hardest, especially the sural nerve
August 22, 2025 at 3:16 PM
3/ 🧬 What did they find?
Inflammation dominates: IL6, IL1B, CXCL2 were upregulated in DPN nerves
Fibrosis follows: TGF-β and Tenascin signaling increased in late-stage axonal loss
Sensory nerves are hit hardest, especially the sural nerve
Inflammation dominates: IL6, IL1B, CXCL2 were upregulated in DPN nerves
Fibrosis follows: TGF-β and Tenascin signaling increased in late-stage axonal loss
Sensory nerves are hit hardest, especially the sural nerve
2/ 🔬 What did they do?
The team collected human tibial and sural nerves from patients with and without diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).
Using bulk and spatial transcriptomics, they mapped gene activity and tracked inflammation, cell types, and axonal mRNA transport.
The team collected human tibial and sural nerves from patients with and without diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).
Using bulk and spatial transcriptomics, they mapped gene activity and tracked inflammation, cell types, and axonal mRNA transport.
August 22, 2025 at 3:15 PM
2/ 🔬 What did they do?
The team collected human tibial and sural nerves from patients with and without diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).
Using bulk and spatial transcriptomics, they mapped gene activity and tracked inflammation, cell types, and axonal mRNA transport.
The team collected human tibial and sural nerves from patients with and without diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).
Using bulk and spatial transcriptomics, they mapped gene activity and tracked inflammation, cell types, and axonal mRNA transport.