Investigating brain inflammation in painful facial nerve conditions
Official title: In-vivo Assessment of Neuroinflammation in Painful Trigeminal Neuropathy
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10851958 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how inflammation in the brain affects painful trigeminal neuropathy, a condition that causes severe facial pain, and it aims to find better ways to manage this pain by using brain scans before patients start steroid treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $252,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DE031410-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10851958 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with painful trigeminal neuropathy who are scheduled to receive oral steroid therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with trigeminal neuropathy not receiving steroid treatment or those with other unrelated pain conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on painful trigeminal neuropathy (PTN), a condition characterized by severe facial pain due to nerve damage. The study aims to understand the role of neuroinflammation in PTN by using advanced brain imaging techniques to assess inflammatory markers before patients receive steroid treatment. Participants will undergo evaluations by neurologists and brain scans to identify potential indicators of treatment response. The goal is to improve pain management strategies for individuals suffering from this debilitating condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better-targeted therapies for patients with painful trigeminal neuropathy, improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using neuroinflammation imaging to understand chronic pain conditions, suggesting this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Loggia, Marco Luciano — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Loggia, Marco Luciano
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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.