The Pain/Stress Neurobiology Lab (PSNL) is a pediatric research lab based at the Stanford School of Medicine. Our research is aimed at understanding, uncovering, and preventing unnecessary childhood stress and pain by developing and implementing non-invasive testing methods. Historically, the lab has developed methodology for assessing pain in infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). One of our future aims is to potentially measure levels of stress and wellness in children in receiving care in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) by comparing cumulative levels of cortisol and oxytocin in with levels found in healthy children. In order to do so, we are currently in the process of establishing baseline levels of hair cortisol and oxytocin concentrations in healthy children across the Bay Area. Our overall mission is to identify ways of measuring pain and stress in vulnerable children who do not have the language yet to ask for help.
