fMRI and IVCM Cornea Microscopy of CXL in Keratoconus

NCT ID: NCT04439552

Last Updated: 2025-12-19

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2021-10-04

Study Completion Date

2027-12-31

Brief Summary

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Evaluation of neuroplasticity of pain pathways and corneal afferent nerve regeneration following corneal crosslinking (CXL) in keratoconus patients using fMRI and corneal In Vivo Confocal Microscopy (IVCM).

Detailed Description

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Our long-term goal is to evaluate the transition from acute to chronic pain that sometimes occurs following CXL in keratoconus patients. This study will determine whether these changes can be structurally and functionally quantified using functional neuroimaging and in vivo corneal microscopy (IVCM), and whether they can be predicted based on predisposing biological and psychological factors. Our central hypothesis is that CXL produces acute pain through activation of trigeminal afferents, and that post-operative chronic pain outcomes are related to neuroplastic changes in trigeminal circuitry, corneal afferent regeneration, and psychological factors.

Conditions

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Pain, Postoperative Pain, Chronic Pain, Acute Surgical Injury Surgical Wound Cornea Injury Cornea Keratoconus

Keywords

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fMRI Corneal Microscopy IVCM Neuroimaging

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

COHORT

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

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CXL group

Patients who are about to undergo a corneal cross-linking (CXL) surgery to treat keratoconus.

No interventions assigned to this group

Control group

Healthy volunteers age and sex matched to the CXL group.

No interventions assigned to this group

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

CXL Group

* Age 8-35 years
* Clinical diagnosis of keratoconus and seeking CXL treatment
* English speaking ability sufficient to comprehend consent with parental assistance
* MRI compatible
* Ability to lie still for an MRI session (60 minutes)

Control Group

* Age 8-35 years
* No diagnosis of keratoconus
* English speaking ability sufficient to comprehend consent with parental assistance
* MRI compatible
* Ability to lie still for an MRI session (60 minutes)

Exclusion Criteria

* Claustrophobic
* Weight \> 285 lbs (weight limit of the MRI table)
* Significant medical history, including:

Current DSM-IV-TR axis I psychiatric disorders. Chronic pain Significant head injury Seizures Brain tumor Cerebrovascular accident Neurological disease aside from migraine HIV-AIDs Prescription medication strongly implicated in causing dry eyes

* Magnetic implants or metal-containing tattoos on their chest or above
* Pregnancy
* History of contact lens wear
* Any allergic response to a numbing eyedrop in the past
Minimum Eligible Age

8 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

35 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Boston Children's Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Eric Moulton

Assistant Professor of Anesthesia

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Eric A Moulton, OD PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Boston Children's Hospital

Locations

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Boston Children's Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Eric A Moulton, OD PhD

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 617-919-6827

Email: [email protected]

Nicholas J Pondelis, BA

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 617-919-1895

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Nicholas J Pondelis, BA

Role: primary

References

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Other Identifiers

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IRB-P00035185

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id