What is this study studying for pain?

This study is investigating how brain connectivity and alpha wave activity change during pressure pain using brain imaging and stimulation. It aims to better understand pain mechanisms by evaluating different brain stimulation methods. The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, is leading this research.

Who may be eligible for this pain clinical trial?

Adults aged 18 to 60 who are fluent in English and meet MRI and EEG screening criteria may be eligible. People with major medical, neurological, or psychiatric illnesses, head trauma history, or pregnancy are excluded. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this pain clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the brain stimulation and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. Travel and personal expenses may vary and are generally not covered. Participants should plan accordingly.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 18Years - 60Years

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

ID06968689

Spatiotemporal Thalamocortical Alterations Underlie Experimental and Chronic Pain - Phase II

Led by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · Updated on 2026-03-02

Participants Needed

Research Sites

8 weeks

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how thalamocortical TC connectivity and alpha brain wave activity change during tonic pressure pain. The study aims to understand pain processing by using brain imaging and stimulation techniques, including EEG, fMRI, transcranial alternating current stimulation tACS, transcranial random noise stimulation tRNS, and sham stimulation. Participants receive personalized brain stimulation with tACS matching their natural alpha frequency, tRNS at random frequencies, or sham stimulation in various sequences. The study involves multiple experimental groups where the order of these stimulations varies. Brain activity and pain responses are measured before and about 30 minutes after stimulation. During the study, participants will undergo EEG and fMRI scans to monitor brain connectivity and alpha activity while experiencing pressure pain. Pain intensity is assessed using a Visual Analog Scale VAS. The study includes pre- and post-stimulation assessments lasting about 30 minutes each. Participants will be monitored for any health issues that might affect study participation, and the entire process is conducted under close supervision.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Spatiotemporal Thalamocortical Alterations Underlie Experimental and Chronic Pain

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years - 60Years

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Meet the MRI / EEG screening criteria
Fluent in English
Age between 18 and 60 years

You will not qualify if you...

Current or history of major medical, neurological, or psychiatric illness based on self-report
History of cardiac, respiratory, or nervous system disease that may increase risk, such as asthma or claustrophobia
History of head trauma
Pregnant or lactating
Contraindications to MRI scanning, including pacemakers, metal implants, claustrophobia, pregnancy, or inability to lie still
Conditions that make study participation difficult, such as paralysis or severe psychological problems
Active substance abuse disorders based on self-report

Research Team

Wen Li, PhD

Jada Malveaux

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