Reward Processing, Neuroeconomics, and Psychopathology.
David H Zald, Michael T Treadway
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28301764Actively Recruiting
Early Phase 1
Age: 18Years - 50Years
All Genders
ID06472622
Functional Neuroimaging to Detect the Neural Signatures of the Unpleasantness of Pain and Effort
Led by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) · Updated on 2026-05-13
47
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how the brain processes unpleasant sensations like pain and physical effort, especially in people with chronic overlapping pain conditions such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The study aims to identify specific brain regions, part of the subjective valuation network (SVN), that are involved in how unpleasant these sensations feel to individuals. This research may help understand the brain's role in conditions involving heightened sensitivity to pain and effort. Participants will take part in three visits over 1 to 5 weeks. During these visits, they will perform tasks involving mild heat applied to the leg and squeezing a plastic bar with varying force while brain activity is monitored using MRI scans. The study uses devices to deliver thermal pain and physical effort stimuli during neuroimaging. Sensors will also measure muscle function and heart rate during some tasks. Throughout the study, participants will undergo neurological exams, mock and real MRI scans, and perform specific tasks inside the MRI scanner. Researchers will assess brain activity related to pain and effort unpleasantness using the thermal pain and physical effort rating tasks. Heart rate and muscle function will also be monitored. The study involves careful safety and eligibility checks, with participation lasting a few weeks.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Functional Neuroimaging to Detect the Neural Signatures of the Unpleasantness of Pain and Effort
Who Can Participate
Age: 18Years - 50Years
All Genders
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Ability to understand and sign informed consent
- Willingness to comply with study procedures and be available for the study duration
- Male or female aged 18 to 50 years
- Good general health for healthy volunteers
- Diagnosis of ME/CFS meeting accepted criteria for ME/CFS patients
You will not qualify if you...
- Current major neurological or psychiatric disorders (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, major depression)
- Other major medical disorders that increase risk or affect study participation
- Current use of central nervous system medications (e.g., antidepressants, stimulants) or psychomotor stimulants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines for ME/CFS patients
- Opioid use for over two weeks in past two years or any use in last month
- History or current substance use disorders, binge drinking, illegal drug use, or heavy tobacco use
- More than occasional cannabis use
- Use of illicit drugs or misuse of prescription medications
- Conditions or injuries affecting grip or extremities impacting thermal pain sensitivity
- Any contraindication to MRI (e.g., metal implants, pacemakers, claustrophobia, pregnancy)
- Members of the NINDS BNU and their families
- Non-English speakers due to lack of validated study instrument translations
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Implementation
Duration - 1 to 31 days
Participants undergo neuroimaging sessions where thermal pain and physical effort stimuli are administered using specialized devices to examine brain activity associated with the unpleasantness of these sensations.
1 to 2 visits depending on intervention order
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
Actively Recruiting
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Research Team
N
Nicholas J Madian, Ph.D.
E
Eric M Wassermann, M.D.
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
1
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