Current Research Studies

  • A Brain Imaging Study of Chronic Pain in Post-Treatment Lyme Disease

    Principal Investigator:

    Alla Landa, PhD
    Why do some individuals continue to experience chronic symptoms of Lyme Disease, such as pain, long after receiving treatment? Through the use of brain imaging (functional MRI) and specific biomarker testing, we hope to gain a better understanding as to why patients develop this persistent, debilitating pain. Based on prior research, we explore whether Lyme disease may change the pattern of an brain activation, making the person more sensitive to pain than a healthy person. If we identify the hyper-activated brain networks in patients with chronic Lyme symptoms, then that information can...

  • A Healthy Volunteer in the study "Understanding Chronic Lyme Pain - A Brain Imaging Study"

    Principal Investigator:

    Alla Landa, PhD
    We are inviting healthy volunteers to participate in our brain imaging study. This study aims to investigate persistent pain in Lyme disease. By using brain imaging (functional MRI), we hope to gain a better understanding of why patients have ongoing problems with persistent pain, fatigue, and sensory sensitivity even after antibiotic treatment. We investigate whether Lyme disease changes the pattern of an individual's brain activation, making him or her more sensitive to pain than a healthy person. To test this hypothesis, we will compare patients with chronic Lyme Disease symptoms and...

  • Vagus Nerve Stimulation: A New Treatment Study for Previously Treated Lyme Disease Patients with Persistent Symptoms

    Principal Investigator:

    Brian A Fallon, MD
    Are you suffering from persistent symptoms that began after you were diagnosed and treated with antibiotics for Lyme Disease? This new research study aims to test a new form of treatment for people with persistent symptoms despite antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease. This treatment involves stimulating a nerve on the surface of your ear. This is called transcutaneous (through the skin) auricular (ear) vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). Published studies report that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) can help to reduce pain, fatigue, depression, and inflammation; some studies suggest it can improve...