RecruitingNot Applicable

Insula Neuromodulation for Chronic Neuropathic Pain

United States12 participantsStarted 2022-11-01

Plain-language summary

This study will comprehensively investigate the insula as a brain target for neuromodulation to treat chronic neuropathic pain.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 80 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Men and women, between 18 and 80 years, inclusive
. Subjects who are able and willing to give consent and able to attend all study visits
. The pain is:
. The pain is neuropathic or predominantly neuropathic if mixed components.
. Insula region must be apparent on MRI so that direct targeting can be performed for SEEG and DBS electrode placement.
. Able to communicate and report sensations during all stimulation testing
. Stable prescribed doses of all symptomatic pain medications for 30 days prior to study entry and for the duration of the study.

Exclusion criteria

. Idiopathic pain syndromes will be excluded. Examples include:
. Fibromyalgia syndrome
. temporomandibular joint disorders
. irritable bowel syndrome

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Adverse events

Timeframe: Entire study period from enrollment through 6 months post DBS implantation

Pain intensity

Timeframe: Baseline, 3 months post DBS stimulation, 3 months post sham stimulation

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05404581

SponsorUniversity of Virginia

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-06-30

Contact for this trial

Judy Beenhakker

434-982-1856 jgb3p@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Neuropathic Pain trials