How spinal cord stimulation changes nerve signals and the brain
From Nerve to Brain: Toward a Mechanistic Understanding of Spinal Cord Stimulation in Human Subjects
This project looks at how spinal cord stimulators change nerve and brain activity in people with long-lasting pain not helped by other treatments so doctors can better match devices and settings to the right patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11505126 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have tests that measure how your sensory nerves respond to stimulation, including specialized nerve conduction and microneurography recordings, along with PET-MRI scans of the brain and blood tests for inflammatory markers. The team will compare these measures before and after spinal cord stimulation or changes in stimulation settings to see what nerve and brain changes line up with pain relief. By linking peripheral nerve signals, brain imaging, and blood markers, they aim to find measurable signs (biomarkers) that predict who benefits and which stimulation patterns work best. Participation will involve visits to the research center for recordings, imaging, and blood draws.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with chronic, treatment-resistant pain who have or are being considered for spinal cord stimulation are the best match for this work.
Not a fit: People without chronic neuropathic or refractory pain, or those not eligible for spinal cord stimulation, are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help doctors choose the right patients and tailor stimulator settings to give better pain relief with fewer trial-and-error visits.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies show spinal cord stimulation can reduce pain, but the precise nerve and brain mechanisms are still unclear and the combined biomarker approach here is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wainger, Brian Jason — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Wainger, Brian Jason
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 below.