Brain scans reveal how anesthesia affects pain and sound processing
NCT ID NCT02703090
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.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States