Studying Brain Structure and Memory in Adults Aged 35-60 with Chronic Facial Pain Using Brain Imaging and Cognitive Tests Before and After Surgery

What this Trial Is About

Chronic pain affects one in four Canadians and often leads to significant challenges including memory difficulties and fear of unexpected pain. This research focuses on trigeminal neuralgia TN, a severe form of facial pain that serves as a model to better understand chronic neuropathic pain. The study aims to explore how chronic pain affects brain structures related to emotion and memory, such as the hippocampus and amygdala, and how these changes relate to cognitive function and pain experiences. Researchers will use advanced brain imaging and cognitive assessments to study 340 participants, including 170 with TN and 170 healthy controls matched by age and sex. Participants with TN will undergo MRI scans and neuropsychological assessments before and six months after surgical treatment, while healthy controls will be assessed once. The study will examine brain structure changes, memory performance, and pain-related fear using specialized tasks and questionnaires. Participants will take part in brain imaging, cognitive tests, and questionnaires to assess memory, emotion, and pain-related fear at specified time points. Key outcome measures include various neuropsychological assessments and MRI scans to monitor brain structure and function before and after surgery. The study also collects data on recalled pain memories and other clinical information to understand the relationship between brain changes, cognitive function, and chronic pain over time.

Emotion and Memory in Chronic Neuropathic Pain