Optical imaging of chronic pain in the brain
By integrating longitudinal brain imaging with inflammatory and histopathological markers, we seek to identify biomarkers of risk and resilience that can inform personalized treatment approaches.
Further information about Prof. Paul Geha, MD
Background
During the first funding period (FP1), we established a successful collaboration that provided preliminary insights into the neural correlates of chronic CRPS, including the relationship between brain function and peripheral inflammatory markers. Preliminary data were also collected from CRPS patients with two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans (baseline and 12 months), forming the foundation for more in-depth analyses. These initial findings highlighted the potential for brain markers, such as volume changes in key limbic structures, to differentiate between patients with persistent and resolved CRPS.
Research objective
- Brain-Immune Interactions: We aim to investigate associations between brain function and peripheral immune markers in CRPS patients, focusing on how baseline inflammation relates to brain activity changes over time.
- Pain Resolution Signature and Prediction: We will examine whether brain structural and functional patterns can predict pain outcomes in early-stage CRPS, comparing patients with persistent versus resolved pain at 6-month follow-up. The study will also assess the relevance of known biomarkers from other chronic pain conditions.
Significance
This project will provide critical insights into role of the brain in the persistence and resolution of CRPS. By combining longitudinal brain imaging with detailed peripheral biomarker analysis, we aim to clarify whether CRPS is driven primarily by peripheral and/or central mechanisms at different stages of the disease. The findings could lead to the development of brain-based biomarkers for risk stratification and targeted interventions. Additionally, the project will contribute to building local expertise in neuroimaging through the training of a medical student and Clinician Scientists in Neuroradiology, ensuring sustainability of the research infrastructure at University Hospital Würzburg.
Research Team
Principal investigator
Prof. Dr. Paul Geha, MD
Medical Center Rochester
University of Rochester, New York, United States
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Heike Rittner, MD
Scientific Coordinator KFO5001
Chair Centre for Interdisciplinary Pain Medicine
Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care, Emergency and Pain Medicine
University Hospital Würzburg
