Brain, Brainstem, and Spinal Cord fMRI

NCT02356315 | Completed DMC

• 2 other identifiers: STU000676255F32AT007800-03
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 13
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

New advances in medical imaging have allowed for the measurement of brain activity related to chronic pain. In addition to the brain, the investigators aim to use functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate pain processing in the brainstem and spinal cord in healthy subjects and chronic neck pain patients. The information gained from this study will increase the investigators understanding of how chronic pain is encoded in the nervous system and assist in developing more effective treatment strategies.

Conditions

Neck Pain; Chronic Pain

Keywords

Brain; Brain Stem; Spinal Cord; Neurophysiology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging

  Use functional magnetic resonance imaging to characterize brain, brainstem, and spinal cord pain processing in healthy subjects (thermal pain) and chronic neck pain patients (thermal pain and spontaneous clinical pain).

  1.5-2.25 hours

Study Arms (2)

Healthy subjects

Functional magnetic resonance imaging of healthy subjects

Other: Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Chronic neck pain patients

Functional magnetic resonance imaging of chronic neck pain patients

Other: Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Interventions

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging OTHER

Functional magnetic resonance imaging will be performed to measure brain, brainstem, and spinal cord activity.

Chronic neck pain patients; Healthy subjects

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 21 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy subjects and chronic neck pain patients recruited from the community

You may qualify if:

• Age between 21 and 60 years old
• Right-handed; not currently experiencing significant pain
• No history of a chronic pain syndrome such as fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, chronic low back pain, etc.
• Age between 21 and 60 years old
• Right handed; neck pain \> 3 months duration; moderate neck pain score \> 30 on VAS (0-100) 3) No history of a chronic pain syndrome (fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, chronic low back pain, etc.) other than chronic neck pain and its associated symptoms.

You may not qualify if:

• Non-English speaking
• Signs of upper extremity sensation loss; history of significant cerebrovascular disease including (but not limited to) epilepsy, stroke, tumor, multiple sclerosis, meningitis
• History of major head trauma with sustained loss of consciousness; history of neurosurgery, ENT surgery, spine surgery, or cardiac surgery
• History of cardiac pacemaker or neurostimulator implantation
• History of significant medical illness including cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, severe asthma requiring hospitalization for treatment, renal insufficiency requiring dialysis, etc.
• History of alcoholism or consistent drug use; current infection or fever; pregnancy (or possible pregnancy)
• History of metal working or injury with shrapnel or metal slivers
• Claustrophobia
• Piercings that are unable to be removed and tattoos older than 30 years

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Northwestern University: lead
• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Center for Translational Imaging, Northwestern University

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain; Chronic Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Todd Parrish, PhD

  Northwestern University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor, Department of Radiology

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 2, 2015
• First Posted: February 5, 2015
• Study Start: January 1, 2015
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2015
• Study Completion: December 1, 2015
• Last Updated: December 21, 2015

Record last verified: 2015-12

Locations

US (1)