Understanding chronic pain through brain activity mapping

Assessing chronic pain using brain entropy mapping

NIH-funded research University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-10598873

This study is looking at how our brains react to chronic pain by using special imaging techniques, and it's designed for people with chronic pain to help find better ways to understand and treat their experiences.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-10598873 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the mechanisms of chronic pain by analyzing brain activity patterns using advanced imaging techniques. By utilizing large datasets and deep machine learning, the project aims to identify how different individuals experience pain and how these experiences can be measured and monitored. The study will focus on resting state fMRI to capture spontaneous brain activity, which is crucial for understanding pain perception. The goal is to develop a new method, brain entropy mapping, to improve diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who experience chronic pain.

Not a fit: Patients with acute pain or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment options for chronic pain patients.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using neuroimaging techniques to understand chronic pain, but this approach with brain entropy mapping is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.