Exploring the link between emotion, memory, and chronic facial pain

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study investigates the relationship between chronic pain, specifically trigeminal neuralgia, and cognitive functions such as memory and emotion. Utilizing advanced brain imaging techniques, the research aims to identify structural brain changes in areas associated with emotion and memory, including the hippocampus and amygdala. Participants will undergo neuropsychological assessments and MR imaging to gather data on how chronic pain affects cognitive processes. The findings could lead to improved understanding and treatment strategies for chronic pain disorders.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria (for HC and TN):

* Age between 35 and 60 years old
* Absence of other active major neurological or psychiatric disorders
* Absence of MRI contraindications
* Able to communicate sufficiently to complete tasks and questionnaires
* Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score greater than 23/30 (MoCA ≤23/30 could indicate severe cognitive impairment)

Inclusion Criteria for TN:

* Experiencing TN pain over a period of 6 months
* Stable medication use
* Meet established diagnostic criteria for TN (ICHD-3)

Exclusion Criteria (both HC and TN):

* Presence of other chronic pain/headache conditions
* Untreated hypertension or diabetes mellitus
* History of chronic drug or substance use disorder, chronic use of opioids or steroids, head trauma affecting cognitive performance,
* History/presence of active psychiatric illness and/or current use of psychoactive medication
* History of multiple sclerosis, skull base injury or tumours

Where it's running

• Toronto Western Hospital
  Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Mojgan Hodaie, MD, MSc — Department of Neurosurgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network
• Study coordinator: Jacob Kim, BSc
• Email: jacob.kim@uhn.ca
• Phone: 4163404907

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• HEADS Registry: Headache, Ear, Auditory, Dizziness, and Sinus</n> Registry

  This registry tests whether collecting online symptom reports from adults in the U.S. with sinus, vestibular, ear, or headache symptoms can help improve diagnosis and treatment.

  Recruiting Association of Migraine Disorders · North Kingstown, Rhode Island · NCT07754266

• RP-008 with daily varenicline for trigeminal neuralgia

  A new treatment approach tests RP-008 together with varenicline to see if it is safe, tolerable, and offers pain relief for adults with trigeminal neuralgia.

  Recruiting Phase 1/2 Kriya Therapeutics, Inc. · Sherbrooke · NCT07596485

• Using intravenous lacosamide to treat acute pain in trigeminal neuralgia

  This study is testing if intravenous lacosamide can help relieve severe facial pain in people with trigeminal neuralgia who come to the emergency room.

  Recruiting Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge · L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona · NCT06851910

• Comparing two types of radiofrequency treatments for trigeminal neuralgia pain

  This study is testing which type of radiofrequency treatment, bipolar or monopolar, works better for relieving pain in people with trigeminal neuralgia who haven't found relief from other medications.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Alexandria University · Alexandria and 1 other locations · NCT06779578

• Evaluating outcomes in neurosurgery using standardized measures

  This study is trying to see how different factors affect the results of brain surgeries by collecting information from patients before and after their operations.

  Recruiting at 11 sites Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta · Bergamo, BG and 26 other locations · NCT06724029

• Comparing two methods for treating facial pain from trigeminal neuralgia

  This study is testing whether a new combination of treatments for facial pain from trigeminal neuralgia works better than a single treatment to help adults feel less pain and improve their daily life.

  Recruiting Zagazig University · Zagazig, Sharqia Province · NCT06684275

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.