R18EB036591

Transspinal magnetic stimulation for the treatment of neuropathic pain - abstract.

Chronic pain ranks among the top reasons for seeking medical attention.

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been a traditional approach for managing chronic neuropathic pain in the back and legs.

This method, however, involves an invasive procedure that requires the patient to live with an implant.

In contrast, low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) presents a non-invasive alternative explored in clinical trials for modifying central nervous system activity, promising quicker neuromodulation for pain relief.

Our research shows that a brief, three-minute LIFU treatment targeting the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) can suppress pain responses in small and large animal models for extended periods.

Yet, targeting other crucial spinal areas for pain management, like the dorsal columns, remains a challenge due to anatomical constraints.

Building on the development of an advanced miniaturized transcranial stimulation (TMS) system, our project aims to create a groundbreaking high frequency (HF) trans-spinal magnetic stimulation (TSMS) tool.

This new system draws upon previous successes in dorsal column stimulation research and numerical simulations, setting the stage for the first non-invasive dorsal spinal cord stimulation to address back pain.

Utilizing a novel 10kHz magnetic pulse, the HF-TSMS system mirrors the frequency used in invasive SCS treatments, which have been effective in managing sciatica and significantly reducing opioid use among patients.

We aim to refine HF-TSMS to target neural pathways involved in neuropathic back and leg pain.

To achieve this, we plan to conduct experimental studies using rodent models at Massachusetts General Hospital, assessing pain responses via fMRI.

Further efficacy and safety evaluations will be conducted in larger animal models at the University of Arizona.

Following these studies, we aim to secure an investigational device exemption (IDE) and initiate a preclinical pilot trial in humans suffering from neuropathic pain.

The introduction of HF-TSMS as a non-invasive, drug-free treatment option could significantly impact the management of chronic neuropathic pain, offering new hope for patients with sciatica.

The General Hospital Corporation

TO SUPPORT HYPOTHESIS-, DESIGN-, TECHNOLOGY-, OR DEVICE-DRIVEN RESEARCH RELATED TO THE DISCOVERY, DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, VALIDATION, AND APPLICATION OF TECHNOLOGIES FOR BIOMEDICAL IMAGING AND BIOENGINEERING. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES BIOMATERIALS (BIOMIMETICS, BIOPROCESSING, ORGANOGENESIS, REHABILITATION, TISSUE ENGINEERING, IMPLANT SCIENCE, MATERIAL SCIENCE, INTERFACE SCIENCE, PHYSICS AND STRESS ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT OF MATERIALS/DEVICES), BIOSENSORS/BIOTRANSDUCERS (TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT, DEVELOPMENT OF ALGORITHMS, TELEMETRY), NANOTECHNOLOGY (NANOSCIENCE, BIOMIMETICS, DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS, DRUG BIOAVAILABILITY, MICROARRAY/COMBINATORIAL TECHNOLOGY, GENETIC ENGINEERING, COMPUTER SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT), BIOINFORMATICS (COMPUTER SCIENCE, INFORMATION SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, BIOMECHANICS, COMPUTATIONAL MODELING AND SIMULATION, REMOTE DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY), IMAGING DEVICE DEVELOPMENT, BIOMEDICAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, IMAGE EXPLOITATION, CONTRAST AGENTS, INFORMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCES RELATED TO IMAGING, MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR IMAGING, BIOELECTRICS/BIOMAGNETICS, ORGAN AND WHOLE BODY IMAGING, SCREENING FOR DISEASES AND DISORDERS, AND IMAGING TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT AND SURGERY (TECHNIQUE DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT).

93.279 - Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) [HHS - NIH]

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NNDS) [HHS - NIH]

Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129 United States

Single Zip Code

HEAL Initiative: Translational Development of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Devices (R18 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (RFA-EB-22-002)