Magnetic pulses aimed at Brain's value center could rewrite chronic pain
NCT ID NCT07798908
First seen Sep 02, 2026 · Last updated Sep 04, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This pilot study tests whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a noninvasive technique that uses magnetic pulses to influence brain activity, can reduce chronic neuropathic pain. Researchers target a brain network involved in assigning value to experiences, based on each person's individual brain connections. Nine adults with peripheral or central neuropathic pain will receive real or sham stimulation over three-day blocks. The main goal is to see if the procedure is feasible and well tolerated, with a secondary look at whether it changes pain ratings.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) delivered to a brain region connected to the medial orbitofrontal cortex, compared with sham stimulation
- What this could lead to
- If this works, it could point toward a noninvasive brain stimulation treatment for chronic neuropathic pain that does not rely on medication.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small pilot study with only 9 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The main goal is to test feasibility and tolerability, not to prove pain relief, and TMS can cause scalp discomfort or headache.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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About 9 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Dec 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government research agency
The lead sponsor is the US National Institutes of Health.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 100 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
* INCLUSION CRITERIA: In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: * Participant must be willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study. * Male and female patients of 18 years of age or older. * Diagnosed with peripheral or central neuropathic pain of at least three months duration and phenotyped by the PRC under protocol 16-AT-0077, and on a stable pain medication regimen * In stable health as determined by study personnel, and without acute medical or mental illness for the past six weeks EXCLUSION CRITERIA: An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: * Concurrent epilepsy or history of seizure in the last year * Inability to provide informed consent * Ferromagnetic metal in the cranial cavity or eye, implanted neural stimulator, cochlear implant, or ocular foreign body * Implanted electronics contraindicated for MRI or TMS, such as cardiac pacemaker or auto-defibrillator or pumps * Non-removable body piercings * Claustrophobia severe enough to preclude MRI * Inability to lie supine for 1 hour * Members of the NINDS BNU or NIHPRC * Individuals with elevated risk and potential contraindications to MRI, as defined by the NIH NMR center guidelines. * Known hearing loss, as assessed by asking the potential participant whether they have hearing loss * Have difficulties with communication that make subjective pain assessment impossible or unreliable * Have active medical or psychiatric health issues that create additional and substantial adverse risks related to study procedures * Pregnant participants or participants planning to become pregnant during the study. At enrollment/baseline, pregnancy status will be assessed by asking participants capable of becoming pregnant whether they are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study. Before each fMRI, participants capable of becoming pregnant must have a negative urine pregnancy test to continue with the fMRI.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States