MR Spectroscopy as a Diagnostic and Outcome Measure in Pain and SCI

Completed

Conditions studied: Spinal Cord Injury, Hyperalgesia, Secondary, Hyperalgesic Sensations

In brief

The goal of this study is to compare the changes that occur in sensation and chemical properties of the brain following SCI between individuals that experience chronic pain and those that do not, and between those with SCI and the able-bodied.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT00561782

Run by

US Department of Veterans Affairs

People needed

94

Starts

2007-10-01

Expected to finish

2010-11-01

Last updated by the study team

2014-09-17

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 70. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• SCI and neuropathic pain:
• fluent in English
• incomplete or complete traumatic SCI
• the injury must have occurred at least 2 years prior to entering the study
• the injury level must be above L1 and the subjects must have evidence of preserved distal cord functions (lower extremity reflexes and bulbocavernosus or anal wink reflexes)
• must have experienced chronic neuropathic pain at or below the level of injury for a minimum of six months
• must have moderately severe or greater neuropathic pain
• must be able to attend three sessions ranging from 2 to 6 hours over a period of 4 to 5 weeks
• SCI and no neuropathic pain:
• same as a., but participants in this group must NOT have unremitting moderate-severe pain and there will only be two sessions ranging from 2 to 6 hours over a period of 1 to 2 weeks
• Able-bodied control subjects:
• fluent in English
• no history of chronic pain conditions
• no substantial brain or body injury
• must be able to attend two sessions ranging from 2 to 6 hours over a period of 1 to 2 weeks

You may not qualify if…

• current pregnancy or women who are contemplating pregnancy
• recent (one-year) history of alcohol or drug abuse
• known intra-cerebral pathology or epilepsy
• MRI findings indicative of intra-cerebral pathology
• significant post-traumatic encephalopathy from head trauma sustained at SCI or cognitive impairment indicative of traumatic brain injury
• current diagnosis of DSM-IV Axis I disorder
• inability to meet the MRI screening requirements (including, but not limited to, the presence of a pacemaker or other electronic devices, prosthesis, artificial limb or joint, shunt, some metal rods, some tattoos, or moderate to severe claustrophobia or anxiety)

Where it is running

• VA Medical Center, Miami — Miami, Florida, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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