Note: This study is currently only recruiting patients in the hospital.

If you are interested in being notified if this study begins recruiting from the general population, please use the 'I Am Interested' button below.

MGH Trigeminal Pain Research Study

This study involves 3 in-person visits over 1-5 months. You will complete questionnaires, sensory testing, and attend an MR-PET scan of the brain.

Massachusetts General Hospital Chronic Pain MRI Scans Facial Injuries and Disorders
5 months
Estimated Time Commitment
Any Sex/Gender, 18-80 years
May Be Eligible
Payment up to $400
May Be Offered
Survey, Blood draw, Injection or IV, Office visit, PET scan, Biosample (e.g., saliva, urine, or stool)
May Be Required
 
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This project is not recruiting.

Overview

What we are studying

The purpose of this study is to understand more about trigeminal pain and how neuroinflammation might play a role in this type of chronic pain. In this study, we are looking at special cells in the brains of patients with trigeminal pain. These special cells are called “microglia” and are present in everybody, but we think they might be more active in individuals with pain.


Why it is important

Understanding the structural changes of trigeminal systems and the roles of inflammation in trigeminal pain would advance our current understanding of the disease processes and may help to develop new effective mechanism-specific therapies for trigeminal pain.  


 


What we hope to accomplish

Principal Investigator

Hsinlin T Cheng, MD, PhD

Massachusetts General Hospital

Public Profile

Who can participate

1. Must be between the ages of 18-80. 2. Has experienced trigeminal pain for more than 3 months (with diagnosis). 3. Reports an average of 3/10 on a scale of pain for their trigeminal pain. 4. Looking to schedule a steroid treatment as part of the clinical care. 5. Abilty to give written informed consent in English.

Who cannot participate

1. Contraindications to MR-PET scanning (including metallic particles in the body, non-MRI safe implants, claustrophobia, pregnany or breastfeeding). 2. Major chronic medical illness, psychiatric condition, or neurological illness. 

What you may be asked to do

Participants will have 3 in person visits spread out over 1-5 months. These visits include: 1. Screening visit (2-3 hours in-person). 2. PET-MRI visit (4-6 hours in-person). 3. Behavioral visit (1 hour in-person). All 3 in-person visits will take place at the Charlestown Navy Yard campus of MGH. The steroid treatment would take place in between the 2nd and 3rd study visits. 


Project activities may include:

  • Survey
  • Blood draw
  • Injection or IV
  • Office visit
  • PET scan
  • Biosample (e.g., saliva, urine, or stool)

Estimated Time Commitment

5 months

What You May Get

Participants will be compensated up to $400 for completion of this study. The payment will be
given in the form of a check. Parking will be reimbursed.

Location

Athinoula A. Martinos Center
149 13th Street Charlestown, Boston, MA 02129

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Travel

  • Accessible by public transportation
  • Parking available
  • Parking reimbursed

Travel and Parking Details

Additional Information

Participating Institutions


Funding Source

  • NIH or Other Federal
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