Brain and spinal cord scans to identify causes of pain after spinal cord injury
Official title: Neuroimaging and Connectome Analysis as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker of SCI Induced Neuropathic Pain
Funded at Thomas Jefferson University · NIH-11321136 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Using advanced brain and spinal cord imaging to find patterns that predict and explain long-term nerve pain in people with spinal cord injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | December 26, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $564,509 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS134987-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11321136 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with spinal cord injury, particularly those with chronic neuropathic pain or at risk for developing it, who can undergo MRI and clinical assessments are the best candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without spinal cord injury, those whose pain is not neuropathic in nature, or individuals who cannot have MRI scans (for example due to incompatible implants) are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
What this research studies
If I join, researchers will use multiple types of MRI and connectome (brain network) analyses to look for imaging patterns linked to neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury. They will combine these imaging measures with patients' pain reports and clinical information to define measurable pain 'phenotypes.' The team will compare imaging and network changes to how patients do over time to find diagnostic and prognostic signals. The methods aim to produce objective, quantitative markers that could complement self-reported pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce imaging markers that help guide personalized pain treatments and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury.
How similar studies have gone: Previous neuroimaging work has linked brain changes to neuropathic pain but applying multi-modal imaging and full connectome analysis to produce reproducible diagnostic and prognostic markers is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alizadeh, Mahdi — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: Alizadeh, Mahdi
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.