Human Pain Atlas for Sensory Neurons (NCT07740681) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Human Pain Atlas for Sensory Neurons
200 participantsStarted 2026-09
Plain-language summary
This study aims to improve our understanding of how the nerves that detect and transmit pain signals work in humans. Chronic pain affects millions of people worldwide and can be difficult to treat because the biological mechanisms underlying pain are not yet fully understood. By gaining a better understanding of the human pain system, this research may help guide the development of more effective and personalised treatments for chronic pain in the future.
The study will investigate sensory neurons, which are specialised nerve cells that detect sensations such as touch, temperature, and injury. We will examine both how these nerve cells respond to stimulation and the genes they express. By linking the activity of individual nerve cells with their molecular characteristics, we hope to identify specific types of sensory neurons that may contribute to chronic pain conditions.
To achieve this, we will use a technique called microneurography. This involves inserting a very fine recording electrode into a peripheral nerve to measure the activity of individual nerve fibres directly in the body. These recordings will be performed in healthy volunteers and in patients. The information obtained will be combined with laboratory-based studies conducted by collaborators in Germany and France, allowing us to relate detailed biological findings to the experience of pain in humans.
The results of this research will provide a detailed map of the human sensory nervous system and improve our understanding of how pain-signalling neurons function in health and disease. This knowledge may support the development of future treatments for chronic pain.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 75 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:
* Between 18 and 75 years of age.
* Male and female.
* In the capacity to understand and sign an Informed Consent Form.
* Willing and able to comply with scheduled visits and study procedures.
* Criteria for chronic pain participants:
* Ongoing neuropathic pain in the context of a possible small fibre neuropathy or C-fibre dysfunction
* Criteria for healthy participants:
* Healthy is defined as no clinically relevant abnormalities identified by a detailed medical history and a full physical examination.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Previous diagnosis of an established autoimmune condition or dermatological conditions affecting skin afferents (e.g. psoriasis, lupus, vitiligo, dermatitis…).
* Application of local anaesthetics or steroid injections within 35 days prior to the microneurography visit.
* Unsuitable anatomy of the superficial peroneal nerve (i.e. nerve cannot be seen or palpated at the dorsum of the foot/ankle)
* Infection, disease (dermatologic or vascular), ongoing pain or recent trauma or surgery that may affect study assessments.
* Current use of anticoagulant therapy.
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
1
Assessment of molecular and functional mechanisms underlying chronic neuropathic pain