PET/MRI in the Diagnosis of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a significant, widespread problem affecting every fifth person worldwide.
Reported in 2011 by the Institute of Medicine, chronic pain affects 116 million American
adults - more than the total number of individuals affected by heart disease, cancer, and
diabetes combined. An estimated $635 billion each year is spent in the medical management of
chronic pain and lost productivity. Better clinical methods to diagnose and localize pain are
needed.

The investigators have developed a S1R-specific radiotracer, [18F]FTC-146. Using imaging
approaches to assess the location of S1R in pain may provide a tool to diagnose pain
generators, monitor treatment response, and aid in the selection of patients for treatment.

The goal is to use [18F]FTC-146 to image S1R expression in healthy volunteers and to compare
the images to those individuals suffering from pain conditions in the following categories:
(1) nociceptive pain (pain that results from tissue injury or inflammation), (2) neuropathic
pain (pain that results from direct injury, disruption, impingement/compression or
malfunction of the peripheral and/or central nervous system), and (3) mixed pain (pain that
appears to have both nociceptive and neuropathic).

Inclusion Criteria:

Healthy Volunteers:

1. At least 18 years old.

Pain Patients:

1. At least 18 years old.

2. Chronic pain (nociceptive, neuropathic or mixed pain) lasting greater than 2 months.

3. Pain level of at least 4/10 on a 0-10 Comparative Pain Scale.

Exclusion Criteria:

Healthy Volunteers:

1. Pain

2. Pain Medication

3. MRI incompatible

4. Kidney Problems

5. Pregnant or nursing

6. Non-English speaker

Pain Patients:

1. MRI incompatible

2. Kidney Problems

3. Pregnant or nursing

4. Non-English speaker