Multimodal Brain Decoding of Pain Sensitivity

Healthy Clinical Trial

Official title:

Multimodal Brain Decoding of Pain Sensitivity

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Active, not recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT04675047
• Other study ID #: YM108044F
• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Start date: September 10, 2019
• Est. completion date: December 2022

Study information

• Verified date: September 2022
• Source: National Yang Ming University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

Pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. However, the pain sensitivity of individuals varies to a large extent, which often results in the mismatch between clinical diagnosis or treatment and individual's actual needs. There are still no established objective indicators for comparisons between individuals. This integrated pilot project is the first large-scale, multi-modal brain decoding study for pain sensitivity. We will explore the brain network signature of pain sensitivity by analyzing electroencephalogram (EEG) signals and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI.) Meanwhile, we will integrate the innate, environmental, and humanity factors with aforementioned brain network signatures to establish multi- modal objective model of pain sensitivity using machine learning. This research team is composed of more than 30 physicians, scientists, and IT experts, along with international collaborators with expertise in the fields of neuroscience, medical imaging, and human philosophy. The five elite groups constitute this international research team and establish five multi-disciplinary sub-projects: Sub-project A： Pain sensitivity and associated innate and environmental factors Sub-project B： Electrophysiological brain signatures of pain sensitivity Sub-project C： MRI brain signatures of pain sensitivity Sub-project D： Innovative brain computer interface (BCI) technology in pain sensitivity measurement and prediction Sub-project E： Pain and Art: neuro-mental mechanisms and potential applications There are three key features of this integrated project: scientific novelty, technology and humanity. In terms of scientific novelty, in addition to machine learning and big data applications, we will focus on the deep brain structure such as brainstem, in which the image acquisition has been difficult in the past. We will develop an MRI sequence and EEG protocol optimized for brainstem. In terms of technology, we will develop a wearable EEG cap implanted with algorithm chip for clinical measurement to decode the pain sensitivity real time. In terms of humanity, we will combine music and painting appreciation to explore their impact on brain signatures related to pain sensitivity. Furthermore, we will develop potential applications of art intervention in pain modulation. We expect this pilot project to achieve the four following goals:

1. To establish a Taiwan database of pain sensitivity. Meanwhile, to clarify the interactions between the innate and environmental factors of the individual and the brain network, and to identify brain signatures related to pain sensitivity. (sub- projects A, B, C)

2. To confirm the brain signatures for predicting the pain sensitivity using machine learning. In addition, to develop wearable devices such as EEG cap for large sample screening by combining the brain-computer interface through the industry-university cooperation (sub-projects B, C, D)

3. To explore the plasticity of brain signatures related to pain sensitivity by sensory modulation such as music, painting appreciation or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and to explore the application potential for pain modulation (sub-projects B, C, D, E)

4. Based on the cooperation model of this international research team, we will cultivate young researchers, and promote academic interactions among different team members, and improve the international visibility and competitiveness of Taiwan (sub-projects A, B, C, D, E)

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Enrollment: 100
• Est. completion date: December 2022
• Est. primary completion date: November 20, 2020
• Gender: All
• Age group: 20 Years to 55 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• aged 20-55

• understand the study and provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any acute or chronic condition that could potentially affect pain perception, including diabetes, hypertension, peripheral and central nervous disorders

• Presence of any pain disorder or suffering from any acute pain within 2 weeks

• History of any neurological disease, except primary headache with headache frequency less than 1 days per month

• Psychiatric disorders including major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia

• History of substance abuse, including alcohol, analgesic, and illicit drugs.

• Any condition that would make participants contra-indicated to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), or electroencephalography (EEG).

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Healthy
• Hypersensitivity

Intervention

Other:
• no intervention for healthy control
observational study - no intervention

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Taiwan	National Yang-Ming University	Taipei city

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
National Yang Ming University

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Taiwan, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	sensory thresholds	Using quantitative sensory testing (QST) to evaluate the sensory threshold	30 minutes
Primary	EEG change (1)	Linear analysis of EEG with pain sensitivity	10 minutes
Primary	EEG change (2)	Nonlinear analysis of EEG with pain sensitivity	10 minutes
Primary	MRI	Analysis of MRI correlatin with pain sensitivity	90 minutes
Primary	fMRI	Analysis of fMRI correlatin with pain sensitivity	90 minutes
Primary	Humoral relationship (1)	Test the related hormones to evaluate the relationship with sensitivity	5 minutes
Primary	Humoral relationship (2)	Test the related cytokines to evaluate the relationship with sensitivity	5 minutes
Secondary	innate and environmental factors associated with pain sensitivity	explory potential factors that may influence the pain sensitivity	5 minutes