Functional Brain Imaging of Pain Phenotype and Genotype

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study has two purposes: first, to locate and identify the brain activation (the areas of the brain) which respond to pain; and second, to look at how brain activation is influenced by a person's genetics (the traits they inherited from their parents). A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner will be used to gather pictures of the brain (similar to an x-ray, but based on different scientific principles) that will be used to determine which areas are active. The hypothesis is that the variation in brain activity between people can be partially explained by genetic differences. This study consists of an two pain tasks applied during a one time visit to the MRI suite. There are no followup visits.

Official Title
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Brain Imaging of Pain Phenotype and Genotype With Novel Scanning Techniques

Conditions
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Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: gauze soaked with capsaicin


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age 18 to 50 Right-handed Male or female Healthy individuals not taking any medication. Exclusion Criteria: Pregnancy Diagnosed with any treated or untreated medical or neurological conditions Using any prescription drugs, including antidepressants, pain medications, sedative medications, blood pressure medications, seizure medications, or antipsychotics. Oral contraceptives are permitted Using any over-the-counter medications including aspirin, Tylenol, or herbal supplements Using any illicit substances Contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Healthy normal volunteers<br>Healthy normal volunteers | Other: gauze soaked with capsaicin<br>* This is a basic science study determining the brain activation that results from painful stimulation. All subjects will have the same painful stimulations and brain images collected.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Areas of brain activity from a transcutaneous painful stimulation | A nerve stimulator will be turned on at the level that causes you to report 7/10 pain for 30 seconds, followed by a 30 second period of rest. This will be repeated four times. The areas of brain activity are determined at the end of the 1 hour scanning session by analyzing the brain images. There are no additional followup or long term outcomes. | At the conclusion of the 1 hour scanning session; Visit one | 
| Areas of brain activity from a 45 minutes Capsaicin cream application | The painful stimulation will now be caused by placing a piece of gauze soaked with capsaicin, the active ingredients in chili peppers, on the subject's right arm. The areas of brain activity are determined at the end of the 1 hour scanning session by analyzing the brain images. There are no additional followup or long term outcomes. | At the conclusion of the 1 hour scanning session; Visit 1 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pain phenotyping | Subjects will report their pain at least every 3 minutes during the cream application. The subject's pain phenotype will be determined from this response. | After the 45 minute Capsaicin cream application; Visit 1 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Pain, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging