Chronic neuropathic pain, a debilitating condition resulting from damage or disease affecting the somatosensory nervous system, is the target of a new clinical trial at UCSF. The study is investigating the potential of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to alleviate this challenging-to-treat pain. Current treatments often exhibit low efficacy, significant side effects, and a risk of misuse and dependence, highlighting the urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies.
The UCSF researchers are focusing on high-frequency rTMS applied to the contralateral motor cortex (M1). Previous studies have indicated that stimulating this brain region can reduce pain scores. The trial aims to evaluate the pain-relieving efficacy of multi-session high-frequency M1 TMS. The study is open to eligible individuals aged 18-80.
One of the key objectives is to identify patient characteristics that predict responsiveness to M1 rTMS. Furthermore, for participants who do not respond to M1 stimulation, the researchers will use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to identify viable alternative stimulation targets. This personalized approach could optimize rTMS therapy for individual patients.
rTMS is a non-invasive technique that uses focused magnetic pulses to modulate brain activity. It is already FDA-approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and migraine. This study explores its potential to address the unmet needs in chronic neuropathic pain management, offering a promising alternative to traditional pharmacological interventions.
