Augmented Cerebral Pain Processing in Chronic, Unexplained Pain: a fMRI Study
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00463177 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : April 20, 2007
Last Update Posted : September 4, 2008
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Condition or disease |
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Pain |
Background
Chronic, unexplained pain is a heterogeneously defined, but common and recurring clinical problem, in general medical practice as well as in specialist care. Chronic, unexplained pain causes considerable loss of quality of life, frequent absence from work and it is a common reason for health care visits. From a pathophysiological point of view, an augmented and self-amplifying sensitivity for physical signals such as pain (as well as for other signals) seems to be important. This is referred to as 'generalised hypervigilance', a specific type of sensitisation. Central sensitisation mechanisms have been implied in several pain syndromes. In our own psychophysical pilot study, we confirmed the existence of amplified pain perception in chronic, unexplained pain, as well as the disturbed influence of attentional processes. Our study results probably reflect a general disturbance of perception, not associated with a specific body location. This general perceptual disturbance is expressed in a stronger fashion in the clinically affected body region. Abnormal pattern of cerebral pain processing have been found in functional MRI studies in other syndromes of unknown origin, such as fibromyalgia, somatoform pain disorder and irritable bowel syndrome. However, the role of several neurobiological factors in chronic, unexplained pain remain to be elucidated and to be placed in the context of the biopsychosocial model.
Work plan:
A 3T rapid event-related, Functional MRI-experiment into the cerebral processing of experimental pain stimuli in chronic, unexplained pain-patients versus healthy controls. Twelve chronic, unexplained pain-patients with unilateral limb pain and twelve healthy control subjects experience painful and non-painful electrical stimuli on the painful limb, whilst the attentional state of the subject is controlled. With functional MRI, we record the pain-related cerebral activations and compare them between groups, in order to characterise the cerebral correlates of altered pain processing in chronic, unexplained pain.
Study Type : | Observational |
Actual Enrollment : | 24 participants |
Time Perspective: | Cross-Sectional |
Official Title: | Augmented Cerebral Pain Processing in Chronic, Unexplained Pain: a 3T Event-Related Functional MRI Study |
Study Start Date : | March 2007 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | June 2008 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | June 2008 |

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Sampling Method: | Non-Probability Sample |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Chronic limb pain > 6 months
- No known somatic cause
Exclusion Criteria:
- Chronic benzodiazepine use
- Axis-I psychiatric co-morbidity
- Contra-indications for MRI scanning (e.g. implanted pacemaker)

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00463177
Netherlands | |
UMC Utrecht | |
Utrecht, Netherlands, 3584 CX |
Principal Investigator: | Tom Snijders, MD | UMC Utrecht | |
Study Chair: | Jan van Gijn, MD | UMC Utrecht | |
Study Director: | Nick Ramsey, PhD | UMC Utrecht |
Responsible Party: | UMC Utrecht |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00463177 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
NFGV5503-02 |
First Posted: | April 20, 2007 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | September 4, 2008 |
Last Verified: | September 2008 |
Pain Chronic pain Pain disorder Functional MRI Sensitization |