Brivaracetam to Reduce Neuropathic Pain in Chronic SCI: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years of age or older * Injured for \> 3 months * Completed inpatient rehabilitation and living in the community * Chronic sublesional neuropathic pain defined as persistent pain (VAS grade 3-10) for three months or more * For people of child-bearing potential: currently practicing an effective form of two types of birth control (defined as those, alone or in combination, that result in a low failure rate (i.e., less than 1% per year) when used consistently and correctly). Exclusion Criteria: * Progressive myelopathy secondary to posttraumatic cord tethering or syringomyelia * Active use of drugs known to interact with brivaracetam: rifampin, carbamazepine, sodium oxybate, buprenorphine, propoxyphene, levetiracetam, and phenytoin. * Brain injury or cognitive impairment limiting the ability to follow directions or provide informed consent * Pregnancy or lactation * Epilepsy or active treatment for seizure disorder * Past or current suicidality * Active treatment for psychiatric disease * Drug addiction * Moderate or heavy alcohol intake (up to four alcoholic drinks for men and three for women in any single day, and a maximum of 14 drinks for men and 7 drinks for women per week) * Hepatic cirrhosis, Child-Pugh grades A, B, and C * Impaired renal function (GFR\<60ml/minute) * Contraindications to brivaracetam or pyrrolidine derivatives including allergy * Active clinically significant disease (e.g., renal, hepatic, neurological, cardiovascular, …