Investigating brain changes with spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain relief
Official title: Brain Connectivity Changes with Spinal Cord Stimulation Treatment of Chronic Pain: A Resting State NIRS/EEG Study
Funded at Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center · NIH-10876949 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how spinal cord stimulation can change brain activity in people with long-lasting nerve pain, to help figure out who might get the most relief from this treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| NIH project number | 5I21RX004389-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10876949 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans experiencing refractory chronic neuropathic pain who are either new to spinal cord stimulation or have been using it for at least six months.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have chronic neuropathic pain or those who are not veterans may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how spinal cord stimulation (SCS) affects brain connectivity in individuals suffering from chronic neuropathic pain. By using advanced techniques like resting state Near Infrared Spectroscopy and Electroencephalography, the study aims to identify brain changes associated with pain relief from SCS. The research will involve two groups: patients new to SCS and those who have been using it for over six months. The goal is to uncover brain biomarkers that could predict which patients are likely to benefit from SCS treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for chronic pain, helping to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from spinal cord stimulation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding brain connectivity changes with non-pharmacological pain treatments, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pundik, Svetlana — Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Pundik, Svetlana
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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.