Brain Dopamine and Chronic Pain Study
This study is looking at how dopamine, a brain chemical, affects chronic pain. Researchers want to understand how dopamine's role in certain brain areas (like the amygdala, hippocampus, and thalamus) changes in people with chronic pain. You would receive three different treatments: methylphenidate, carbidopa-levodopa, and a placebo (an inactive pill). The study will measure changes in the size of specific brain regions. To join, you need to be at least 18 years old, in generally good health, and able to speak and read English. The study aims to enroll 10 participants. The current status of this study is unclear.
- Study design
- This is an interventional study where participants will receive all three treatments (methylphenidate, carbidopa-levodopa, and placebo) in a random order. Both participants and researchers will not know which treatment is being given at the time.
- What's involved
- You would have 4 visits to the lab. These visits include answering questions about your pain, filling out questionnaires, and undergoing 60 minutes of brain scanning during each visit.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Brain changes will be measured from the start of the study up to 3 hours after treatment.
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
The Role of Brain Dopamine in Chronic Pain
At a glance
Conditions
Where it's being run
1 sites across 1 statesWho to contact
Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.
What this trial measures
- mean change in amygdala volumebaseline to 3 hours
Amygdala volume will be measured using T1w MPRAGE structural images. The mean change in amygdala volume will be the volume of amygdala before administering the drug or placebo minus the volume of amygdala after administering the drug or placebo.
- mean change in hippocampus volumebaseline to 3 hours
Hippocampus volume will be measured using T1w MPRAGE structural images. The mean change in hippocampus volume will be the volume of hippocampus before administering the drug or placebo minus the volume of hippocampus after administering the drug or placebo.
- mean change in thalamus volumebaseline to 3 hours
Thalamus volume will be measured using T1w MPRAGE structural images. The mean change in thalamus volume will be the volume of thalamus before administering the drug or placebo minus the volume of thalamus after administering the drug or placebo.
- mean change in Nucleus accumbens volumebaseline to 3 hours
Nucleus accumbens volume will be measured using T1w MPRAGE structural images. The mean change in Nucleus accumbens volume will be the volume of Nucleus accumbens before administering the drug or placebo minus the volume of Nucleus accumbens after administering the drug or placebo.
- mean change in amygdala activitybaseline to 3 hours
Amygdala activity will be determined using Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) fMRI sequences. The mean change in amygdala activity will be the activity of amygdala before administering the drug or placebo minus the activity of amygdala after administering the drug or placebo.
- mean change in hippocampus activitybaseline to 3 hours
Hippocampus activity will be determined using Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) fMRI sequences. The mean change in hippocampus activity will be the activity of hippocampus before administering the drug or placebo minus the activity of hippocampus after administering the drug or placebo.
- mean change in thalamus activitybaseline to 3 hours
Thalamus activity will be determined using Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) fMRI sequences. The mean change in thalamus activity will be the activity of thalamus before administering the drug or placebo minus the activity of thalamus after administering the drug or placebo.
- mean change in Nucleus Accumbens activitybaseline to 3 hours
Nucleus Accumbens activity will be determined using Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) fMRI sequences. The mean change in Nucleus Accumbens activity will be the activity of Nucleus Accumbens before administering the drug or placebo minus the activity of Nucleus Accumbens after administering the drug or placebo.