Ana Rita Pereira

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Ana Rita Pereira is a neuroscientist whose research explores the neural mechanisms of pain perception and affective touch. Her work centers on the interplay between C-tactile (CT) afferents—slow-conducting, unmyelinated fibers that respond to gentle, caress-like touch—and the central processing of pain. In her most-cited study, "The effects of C-tactile stimulation on temporal summation of second pain," Pereira and her team demonstrated that CT-targeted touch can modulate the temporal summation of second pain, a key marker of central sensitization. Using a combination of psychophysical assessments and functional neuroimaging, she identified distinct peripheral and central neural correlates underlying this analgesic effect, offering new insights into how gentle touch may serve as a non-pharmacological intervention for chronic pain. Though early in her career, this work has already garnered attention for its translational potential in pain management. Pereira’s contributions bridge affective neuroscience and clinical pain research, positioning her as an emerging leader in understanding how somatosensory pathways can be harnessed to alleviate suffering.