NEPAL (Neuromodulatory Examination of Pain and Mobility Across the Lifespan)
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Arthritis, Osteoarthritis (OA) |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Rheumatology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 60 - Any |
| Updated: | 4/6/2019 |
| Start Date: | July 2015 |
| End Date: | March 2020 |
| Contact: | Yenisel Cruz-Almeida, MSPH, PhD |
| Email: | cryeni@ufl.edu |
Neuroimaging Age-related Versus Pain-related Changes in Pain Modulation
Musculoskeletal pain represents the leading cause of disability worldwide. It has been
traditionally attributed to peripheral mechanisms, but peripheral damage, inflammation, and
psychological factors have failed to significantly account for the presence, absence, or
severity of chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP). Recent studies show that individuals with CMP
exhibit dysfunctional pain modulation supporting a significant central nervous system (CNS)
contribution. However, the CNS mechanisms underlying these changes in pain modulation are not
currently known, nor is their relation to clinical pain progression. The proposed pilot
examines brain circuits recently described in predicting the transition from acute to chronic
pain, in predicting clinical and experimental pain changes as well as physical performance
and mobility changes in older persons with musculoskeletal pain over a one year period. The
findings will provide novel and important information regarding the mechanisms underlying
aberrant pain processing and its functional consequences in older adults with musculoskeletal
pain. The information learned can be subsequently used to target treatment and prevention
strategies in future studies of older adults. The central hypothesis is that increased
functional and structural connectivity of cortico-striatal regions will be significantly
associated with baseline clinical and experimental pain and decreased physical function in
persons with CMP and will account for more rapid clinical pain and disability progression
over time.
traditionally attributed to peripheral mechanisms, but peripheral damage, inflammation, and
psychological factors have failed to significantly account for the presence, absence, or
severity of chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP). Recent studies show that individuals with CMP
exhibit dysfunctional pain modulation supporting a significant central nervous system (CNS)
contribution. However, the CNS mechanisms underlying these changes in pain modulation are not
currently known, nor is their relation to clinical pain progression. The proposed pilot
examines brain circuits recently described in predicting the transition from acute to chronic
pain, in predicting clinical and experimental pain changes as well as physical performance
and mobility changes in older persons with musculoskeletal pain over a one year period. The
findings will provide novel and important information regarding the mechanisms underlying
aberrant pain processing and its functional consequences in older adults with musculoskeletal
pain. The information learned can be subsequently used to target treatment and prevention
strategies in future studies of older adults. The central hypothesis is that increased
functional and structural connectivity of cortico-striatal regions will be significantly
associated with baseline clinical and experimental pain and decreased physical function in
persons with CMP and will account for more rapid clinical pain and disability progression
over time.
Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) is the most common, non-malignant disabling condition that
affects at least one in four older people. The most common painful musculoskeletal conditions
among older adults are osteoarthritis, low back pain, fibromyalgia, chronic shoulder pain,
knee pain, myofascial pain syndrome and previous fracture sites. Recent studies demonstrate
generalized alterations of pain processing among older individuals with CMP. An improved
understanding of the mechanisms underlying CMP-related changes in pain modulation will
provide a basis for the development of targeted preventive and rehabilitative strategies. In
light of evidence emphasizing plasticity of white matter connections, and the potential pain
relieving effects of non-invasive brain stimulation interventions, it seems reasonable to
identify these connections as potential targets for future treatment approaches. Given the
expected growth of the older population, such strategies could have a monumental impact in
reducing healthcare expenditures and improving the quality of life of older adults.
affects at least one in four older people. The most common painful musculoskeletal conditions
among older adults are osteoarthritis, low back pain, fibromyalgia, chronic shoulder pain,
knee pain, myofascial pain syndrome and previous fracture sites. Recent studies demonstrate
generalized alterations of pain processing among older individuals with CMP. An improved
understanding of the mechanisms underlying CMP-related changes in pain modulation will
provide a basis for the development of targeted preventive and rehabilitative strategies. In
light of evidence emphasizing plasticity of white matter connections, and the potential pain
relieving effects of non-invasive brain stimulation interventions, it seems reasonable to
identify these connections as potential targets for future treatment approaches. Given the
expected growth of the older population, such strategies could have a monumental impact in
reducing healthcare expenditures and improving the quality of life of older adults.
Inclusion Criteria:
- older adults over 60 years of age with and without musculoskeletal pain
- healthy young adults between the ages of 18-25
Exclusion Criteria:
- pregnant women
- history of alcohol/drug abuse in the past
- known intra-cerebral pathology or epilepsy
- significant cognitive impairment as evidenced by the 3MS
- hospitalizations for mental health reasons in the past year
- not meeting MRI screening requirements (implants, prosthesis, artificial limb/joint,
shunt, metal rods, hearing aid, claustrophobia or anxiety)
- chronic/current use of narcotic medications
- serious systemic (uncontrolled diabetes; self reported A1C>7), neurological , or
cardiovascular disease (uncontrolled hypertension >155/90)
- liver or kidney disease
- inability to consent for study participation
We found this trial at
4
sites
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Gainesville, Florida 32608
Principal Investigator: Yenisel Cruz-Almeida, MSPH, PhD
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