The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between reflexes in the leg and the presence of neuropathic pain. The researchers are recruiting 30 individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) total, 15 individuals with neuropathic pain due to SCI and 15 individuals without neuropathic pain. For this portion of the study, there are 2 visits. The first visit will examine cutaneous reflexes in the leg. During the second visit, the study team will assess sensation in the leg and administer questionnaires about pain, functioning, and quality of life.
The purpose of the second part of the study is to examine the effect of reflex training in the leg to decrease neuropathic pain. For this, the researchers are recruiting 15 individuals with neuropathic pain due to spinal cord injury to participate in the reflex training procedure. The study involves approximately 50 visits with a total study duration of about 6.5 months (3 months for baseline and training phases followed by 1 month and 3 month follow-up visits).
Twelve patients with osteoarthritis of the knee will undergo Geniculate Artery Embolization for treatment of knee pain. Prior to the procedure, patients will undergo MRI imaging of the affected knee which will include contrast enhanced images and dynamic contrast enhanced images. The MRI will measure the degree of abnormal blood flow in the synovial lining of the knee joint as well as change in the knee joint structure found in osteoarthritis. Patients will be followed at 1, 6, and 12 months after the procedure, and knee pain as well as medication usage will be assessed at each interval. At the 6-month visit, patients will undergo a second MRI with contrast that will be used to compare the changes in blood flow and knee joint structure.
This project uses advanced analytical approaches in functional magnetic resonance imaging, at the level of the individual, to expand our current understanding of the brain changes responsible for driving an individual's susceptibility or resistance toward prescription opioid misuse in patients with chronic low back pain.
The study is being done to find out if this approach (8 sessions of the Internet-based program with education) is better or worse than the usual approach plus education only for cancer-related pain. The usual approach is defined as care most people get for cancer-related pain.
This study will examine the effects of early childhood adversity on stress and craving among individuals with opioid use disorder. Study participants will complete a total of three visits, including a 1-month follow-up visit. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires about thier mood, anxiety, drug use, craving and adverse childhood events. They will listen to personalized scripts about a stressful situation, a time when they used opioid and a relaxing situation and their heart rate, skin conductance and cortisol are measured.
The purpose of the research is to evaluate the effectiveness of using two common drugs together to reduce chronic pain specifically in patients with fibromyalgia. These two drugs are minocycline and N-acetylcysteine . Minocycline is an antibiotic, and N-acetylcysteine is a supplement that can reduce cell damage. Minocycline and N-acetylcysteine are not FDA approved for chronic pain but have been proven in animal studies to interact with important cells in the body that play a major role in the development of chronic pain.