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Understanding Brain Mechanisms in Pediatric Chronic Pain

This study aims to understand how the brain processes chronic pain in children and teenagers (ages 10-17) with conditions like migraine, complex regional pain syndrome, musculoskeletal pain, and functional abdominal pain syndrome. Researchers want to identify shared and distinct brain systems involved in different types of pain, predict recovery, and understand how pain spreads. You would participate in activities like a multisensory task (reversing checkerboard, tones, finger opposition), graphesthesia (tracing numbers on skin), and divided attention tasks (dividing attention between two painful stimuli). The study will use functional MRI (fMRI) to measure brain activity and blood flow. This study is currently recruiting 255 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 255 participants. It is a basic science study focused on understanding brain mechanisms.
What's involved
Participants will undergo Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), Quantitative Sensory Testing, and Psychological Assessments. Specific visit schedules or durations are not detailed.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary endpoints (fMRI measurements) are taken at Baseline. No further follow-up timeframes are specified.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05814497

Supraspinal Processing of Sensory Aspects of Pain

Recruiting
NAAges 10–17InterventionalBasic science
Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
~255 participants
Updated 2026-06-05 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Multisensory TaskGraphesthesiaDivided attention

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
FMRI: BOLD resting connectivity of the amygdala
Measured over Baseline
+9 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Migraine in Children
Complex Regional Pain Syndromes
Musculoskeletal Pain
Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome
Fibromyalgia

Explore related trials

Chronic PainComplex Regional Pain SyndromeFibromyalgiaFunctional abdominal pain syndromeMigraineMusculoskeletal Pain

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Ohio1

Study leadership

  • Robert Coghill, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati

Who to contact

Catherine Jackson, MSc
[email protected]
5136360669
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Patients will need a diagnosis of a chronic pain derived congruent with ICD-11 criteria related to headache (migraine, daily headache), abdominal (FAPD), localized MSK (single limb/joint, low back or chest pain), diffuse MSK (widespread MSK pain), or CRPS
If on medications, they need to be on stable doses of prescribed pain and/or psychiatric medications for 4 weeks before the baseline study visit.
Male or female, age 10 -17 (inclusive)
English speaking, able to complete interviews and questionnaires in English

Exclusion

Weight/size incompatible with MRI scanner
Orthodontic braces, metallic or electronic implants, or other metal objects in the body which obscure or interfere with the MRI, or pose a risk from heating, movement, or malfunction in the MRI environment
Claustrophobia
Youth who are pregnant
Any comorbid rheumatic disease, diagnosis of epilepsy, other neurological diseases, or medical condition (e.g. diabetes, cancer, IBD)
Present psychiatric disease as defined by DSM IV (e.g. psychosis, bipolar disorder, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder), alcohol or drug dependence, or documented developmental delays or impairments (e.g., autism, cerebral palsy, ADHD, or mental retardation) that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements or safe participation in the study
Skin conditions or past skin damage on the arms or legs in or near sites of sensory testing
Outside the age range (9 years old or younger; 18 years or older) at the time of consent
History of \> 1 month opioid treatment.

What this trial measures

  • FMRI: BOLD resting connectivity of the amygdalaBaseline

    BOLD resting connectivity of the amygdala

  • Resting Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF)Baseline

    CBF derived from resting arterial spin labeled MRI

  • FMRI: Multisensory task activityBaseline

    BOLD activation during multisensory task

  • FMRI: Spatial task activityBaseline

    BOLD activation during spatial summation and divided attention

  • FMRI: BOLD resting connectivity of the posterior parietal cortexBaseline

    BOLD resting connectivity of the posterior parietal cortex

  • FMRI: Graphesthesia ActivationBaseline

    BOLD activation during graphesthesia task

  • Pain RatingsBaseline

    Visual analog scale (VAS) ratings of pain intensity and pain unpleasantness. The VAS is a scale of 0-10, with higher scores indicating a worse outcome.

  • Pain Ratings1 Year Followup

    Visual analog scale (VAS) ratings of pain intensity and pain unpleasantness. The VAS is a scale of 0-10, with higher scores indicating a worse outcome.

  • Spatial Distribution of PainBaseline

    Body map assessment of location of pain

  • Spatial Distribution of Pain1 Year Followup

    Body map assessment of location of pain