Brain Activation During Thermal Stimulation in Neuropathic Pain

NCT00525018 | Unknown DMC

• 1 other identifier: 9561701022
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 80
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Patients with peripheral neuropathy frequently exhibit treatment-refractory neuropathic pain. Although both peripheral and central determinants are recognized for the pathophysiological basis of neuropathic pain following peripheral injury, the modulating effect on pain processing in brain by peripheral mechanisms remains elusive. Here, we will systematically compare the sensory symptoms and brain activation to painful heat stimulation applied to the foot dorsum between patients with peripheral neuropathy and healthy controls. Functional magnetic resonance imaging will be used to define brain activation to thermal stimulation with noxious heat and innocuous warm thermal stimuli applied by contact heat stimulator. Brain activation during thermal stimulation in patients with neuropathic pain will be clarified, and we will also analyze the potential relationships between the topography, quality and intensity of the different painful symptoms and the magnitude and pattern of brain activation during thermal stimulation. This will add in our understanding in the pathophysiology of brain modulation in pain and provide clinically useful message toward the potential therapeutics in the management of neuropathic pain.

Conditions

Neuropathic Pain

Keywords

Pain; Functional neuroimaging; Neuropathy; Thermal sensation

Interventions

contact heat evoked potential stimulator DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 75 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Patients with peripheral neuropathy (defined according to the neuropathic symptoms and signs) and healthy volunteers will be recruited in this study

You may not qualify if:

• subjects with structural brain lesions, pacemaker implantation, agoraphobia, and neurotic disorders.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Taiwan University Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

National Taiwan University Hospital

Taipei, 100, Taiwan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neuralgia; Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Sung-Tsang Hsieh, MD, PhD

  Departments of Neurology,National Taiwan University Hospital

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Sung-Tsang Hsieh, MD, PhD

CONTACT

886-2-23123456; sthsieh@ha.mc.ntu.edu.tw

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: DEFINED POPULATION
• Time Perspective: OTHER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 3, 2007
• First Posted: September 5, 2007
• Study Start: January 1, 2007
• Study Completion: July 1, 2008
• Last Updated: September 5, 2007

Record last verified: 2007-08

Locations

TW (1)