Brain scans reveal how anesthesia affects pain and sound processing

NCT ID NCT02703090

Completed Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Boston Children's Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study used a special brain imaging technique called near-infrared spectroscopy to see how the brain responds to pain and sounds while people are under general anesthesia. 44 healthy volunteers aged 12-30 were given either a painkiller (remifentanil) or a placebo. The goal was to measure changes in blood flow in brain areas involved in sensing pain and hearing. This research aims to better understand how the brain processes these signals when a person is unconscious.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Remifentanil (painkiller) and normal saline (placebo)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could help doctors better understand how the brain processes pain during anesthesia, potentially leading to improved pain management during surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study in healthy volunteers, not patients. The results may not apply to real surgical settings or people with medical conditions.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cardiac rhythm disease Pain

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ANESTHESIA PAIN

Contacts and locations

Locations

Boston Children's Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States

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