Neurobiological Consequences of Long-Term Opioid Therapy in the Brain and Spinal Cord
Duke University
Summary
The purpose of this study is to compare activity in the brains of female adults with chronic pain and/or opioid use, and healthy female adults that may help to develop new and targeted treatments for adults with chronic pain and alternatives to opioid therapy.
Description
The objective of the study is to determine differences in neurophysiology and behavior during different phases of opioid use in patients. Study activities will include neuroimaging (MRI and fMRI), behavioral tasks, sensory testing, blood draws, and questionnaires. The neuroimaging data will be analyzed using specialized software; data from questionnaires, sensory testing, and behavioral task performance will be analyzed using standard statistical software. Risks and safety concerns include standard, minimal risks associated with MRI scans, sensory testing, blood draws, and confidentiality.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria for Healthy Controls: 1. female and ages 18+ 2. ability to read/understand English and give consent to participate 3. no current or history of chronic pain 4. not regularly taking any pain-relieving or mood-altering medications (per PI discretion) 5. absence of use of opioid medications Inclusion Criteria for Individuals with Chronic Pain: 1. female and ages 18 + 2. ability to read/understand English and give consent to participate 3. self-reported or physician diagnosis of fibromyalgia and/or chronic pain 4. current use of opioid medication(s) for inclusion in the opioid…
Interventions
- OtherOpioid Phase
Opioid-taking patients are assigned to take their prescribed opioid medication before ("peak" opioid phase) during 1 scan and after ("trough" opioid phase) during the other MRI scan
Location
- Duke University Medical CenterDurham, North Carolina