Summary:
We are currently inviting chronic pain patients to participate in a study to investigate a treatment for pain that uses newly developed brain imaging methods to train participants to control their own brain activation. This research project uses real-time functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rtfMRI) to assess brain activation during the experience of pain while participants attempt to mentally control their brain activation and pain response. Benefits to participants include the ability to directly see the activity in your own brain corresponding to your pain, and to try to learn to control it, access to a newly developed experimental brain imaging technology only available through this study, help with the research process of developing a potential future treatment for chronic pain, and extensive interaction with the research team.
Qualified Participants Must:
• Must be diagnosed with a chronic pain condition (fibromyalgia, CRPS/RSD, neuralgia, neuropathy)
• Must be able to be safely scanned in an MRI scanner (no implanted metal devices, weight under 220lbs, no claustrophobia, etc)
• Must be able to attend ~2hr scan sessions in Palo Alto, CA at least once per week over a 6 week period (1.5 hours in the scanner)
• Must be 18-65 years old
• Must not have a history of psychiatric illness
• Must not be pregnant or attempting to become pregnant
• Must be able to read and understand English