LUNG IMAGING: MRI OF HYPERPOLARIZED NOBLE GASES

本研究是对人脑疼痛加工过程的一次探索 使用功能性核磁共振成像。 目标是发展客观 疼痛的定量测定。 受试者将是患有 特定类型的疼痛，带状疱疹后神经痛，疱疹后遗症 带状疱疹。 这类患者的疼痛是局限于受影响的神经 带状疱疹，而且总是单侧的。 疼痛的严重程度 当神经的局部区域被触摸时， 外部刺激，如刷牙。 我们将检查大脑活动 对疼痛刺激的反应模式。 刺激对 对侧非疼痛部位将用作对照。 正常 受试者也将作为对照。 本发明公开了一种用于在磁体孔中使用的刺激装置， 构造，允许对患者身体进行机械刺激 表面面积与控制量的力量。 我们开始 在施加力变化的情况下收集数据，并观察 大脑图像的强度。

This study is an exploration of the human brain processing of pain using functional MRI on humans. The goal is to develop objective quantitative assay of pain. The subjects will be patients with a specific type of pain, postherpetic neuralgia, an aftermath of herpes zoster. Such patients have pain is localized to the nerve affected by the herpes zoster and is always unilateral. The severity of the pain increases greatly when the localized area of the nerve is touched with external stimuli such as brushing. We will examine brain activation pattern in response to painful stimulation. Stimulation on contralateral non-painful site will be used as control. Normal subjects will also serve as controls. A stimulating apparatus for use in magnet bore has been constructed, which allows a mechanical stimulus on patient body surface area with a controlled amount of force. We are starting to collect data with the exerted force varied, and oberve the change in intensity in the brain images.