Combining fMRI and tDCS in Neuropathic Pain

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Neuropathic Pain
• Interventions: Device: transcranial direct current stimulation

• Registration Number: NCT06237075
• Lead Sponsor: National Taiwan University Hospital

Brief Summary

The proposed project aims to explore possible neuromodulatory effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on neuropathic pain caused by peripheral neuropathy. tDCS will be performed through an MRI-compatible stimulation setting during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning. The stimulation target of tDCS will be the primary motor cortex (M1) and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). We expect that results from the current project will advance the understanding of neuromodulatory mechanisms of tDCS and facilitate the development of treatment strategies for patients with neuropathic pain.

Detailed Description

Neuropathic pain is the most excruciating symptom in peripheral neuropathy such as diabetic or chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. Management of neuropathic pain is a challenging clinical problem because only less than 50% patients are responsive to pharmacological treatment. Neuropathic pain is naturally considered as a direct consequence of peripheral nerve injury that induces hypersensitivity or ectopic activities in nociceptive nerve terminals. Nevertheless, maladaptive changes in the pain-related networks of the brain also play a crucial role in the generation, amplification, and drug-resistance of neuropathic pain. The proposed project aims to explore possible neuromodulatory effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on neuropathic pain caused by peripheral neuropathy. tDCS is a non-invasive stimulation technique that delivers a low-intensity current into the brain to modulate the synaptic plasticity of cortical neurons. To investigate the instantaneous effects of tDCS, tDCS will be performed through an MRI-compatible stimulation setting during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning. The stimulation target of tDCS will be the primary motor cortex (M1) and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). This simultaneous tDCS-fMRI approach will enable us to (1) identify the neural substrates of neuropathic pain that could be modulated by neurostimulation, (2) to characterize the spatial patterns of functional hemodynamic brain responses following tDCS, and (3) to assess changes in cortical excitability and neuroplasticity associated with pain perception after non-invasive brain stimulation. We expect that results from the current project will advance the understanding of neuromodulatory mechanisms of tDCS and facilitate the development of treatment strategies for patients with neuropathic pain.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-09-11
• Status Verified: 2024-01
• Study First Submitted: 2024-01-15
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-01-24
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-01-24
• Study First Posted: 2024-02-01
• Last Update Posted: 2024-02-01
• Primary Completion: 2030-09-11
• Study Completion: 2030-09-11

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 150

Inclusion Criteria

• 1. Age 20 or older and 90 or younger. 2. Ability to give informed consent 3. Neuropathic pain and/or nonpainful sensory symptoms resulted from I or II I. Peripheral neuropathy confirmed by clinical symptoms nerve conduction study, autonomic function test, quantitative sensory test, or skin biopsy.

II. Stroke involving somatosensory pathway confirmed by neuroimage 4. Agree not to take caffeine, alcohol, tea and drugs with significant nervous system effects for 48 hours before each study session.

Exclusion Criteria

• 1. Presence of sever systemic diseases, including severe ischemic heart disease or congestive heart failure (left ventricular ejection fraction < 30%), severe lung diseases with dyspnea, severe generalized edema, and systemic infection 2. Presence of major neurological disorders, including brain tumor, head trauma and infection or inflammation of nervous system.

  2. Presence of major depression or any major mental disorders 4. Presence of a cardiac pacemaker, brain stimulator, aneurysm clips or metal implants in the head, unless these devices are certified to be MRI-compatible 5. Pregnancy 6. Claustrophobia or any other contraindications to MRI 7. Inability to give informed consent.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
tDCS stimulation	transcranial direct current stimulation	2-milliamp stimulation for 5\~15 min

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Brain functional connectivity changes	5 days after stimulation	changes in brain functional connectivity after tDCS, assessed using functional MRI

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Intensity of neuropathic pain	5 days after stimulation	reduction of neuropathic pain assessed using visual analog scale

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Taiwan University Hospital; 🇨🇳 Taipei, Taiwan