Cellular Pathophysiology of Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain function on one occasion for 60 minutes delivered by a trained radiographer who is employed by the scanning facility. Positron emission tomography (PET) of radio tracer binding indicating astrocytic and glial activity in Orofacial Neuropathic Pain patients. Two PET sessions, 90 minutes each, separated by a minimum of two weeks between each session. PET radio ligand is administered by a qualified clinical nurse and the images will be collected by a qualified research technologist. Location: both MRI and PET are located in the same facility/centre (Melbourne Brain Imaging Unit) - 30 Royal Parade, Parkville Victoria 3010 As this study only involves two sessions, with all procedures occurring within the Melbourne Brain Centre Imaging Unit over the course of roughly 2.5 hours each session, adherence to the protocols solely requires regular monitoring of participants throughout the study, which is maintained via regular check ins inside both the MRI and PET scanner environments through digital speakers. The radiographer and technologist in charge of collection of these datasets respectively, alongside the researcher involved in the study will, between scans and at regular intervals check in with participants and monitor quality of data collected (to avoid artefacts such as movement, etc.). All procedures involving the radioligand are conducted by the qualified clinical nurse on staff at the scanning facility, who will both make the injection and monitor participants immediately following this process. Primary concerns are extravasation or fainting from needle-phobia. Both these adverse/serious adverse events are controlled for in processes disclosed in the study protocol, however in regards to fidelity, participants will be monitored for appropriate uptake of radiotracer to ensure image quality will be of a standard useable to produce research outputs. Inside the MRI scanner, as above, both the researcher and radiographer will monitor data quality to ensure no artefact of motion or similar is present in recorded images.