The purpose of this study is to understand the central brain pathology of chronic low-back pain (CLBP). We also want to find out how the neural signature (a brain marker visible with MRI) of CLBP is affected by a patient’s age and sex.

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ages 50+
• Generally healthy and pain-free
• No significant physical medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, cancer)
• Speak English
• No significant psychiatric conditions (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
• No diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute vertebral fractures, fibromyalgia, history of tumor(s) in the back, or temporo-mandibular joint pain
• No history of traumatic brain injury
• No pain that lasted longer than 4 weeks at any time in the past year
• No history of acute vertebral fracture(s)
• No history of ankylosing spondylitis
• No history of COPD
• No history of tumor(s) in the back
• No history of rheumatoid arthritis
• No history of fibromyalgia
• No history of TMJ
• No history of type 1 diabetes
• No history of type 2 diabetes
• No history of cardiovascular (heart) problems
• No history of cancer

The study entails 2 visits, where each visit will last 2.5 hours.

The first visit will include completing computer-based questionnaires about your mood and sleep, playing computer games that will assess your cognitive functions, and rating the intensity and pleasantness of various tastes and sensations.

The second visit will include a 1 hour and half brain MRI scan and completing computer surveys before and after the scan.

As a participant, you may receive up to $200 for completing the entire study.

There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.