# Differentiation of Clinical Phenotypes of Inflammatory and Neuropathic Ocular Pain Conditions with Morphologic Measures and Functional Brain Imaging

> **NIH NIH U01** · BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · 2024 · $958,830

## Abstract

Chronic ocular pain is a highly distressing symptom as its occurrence results in high morbidity without effective
treatment. Patients with dry eye (DE) commonly have painful ocular symptoms, yet the neural mechanisms
underlying this type of pain may include inflammatory (as in Sjogren's syndrome) and/or neuropathic
contributors (as in neuropathic ocular pain [NOP]). The cornea is innervated by the trigeminal nerve, which
conveys peripheral input to the central nervous system. Using neuroimaging to evaluate peripheral nerves to
supraspinal structures, we propose to define the structural and functional differences in the trigeminal circuit
that differentiate inflammatory and neuropathic pain. In aim 1, we will determine trigeminal nerve pathology in
persons with Sjogren's vs. NOP vs. controls using quantitative sensory testing (QST), in vivo corneal nerve
microscopy (IVCM), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). In aim 2, we will define differences between Sjogren's
vs. NOP in the central nervous system by comparing functional responses to light-induced pathways
associated with photophobia using fMRI, and structure using MRI and DTI. This study is likely to yield (1)
structural and functional diagnostic markers to differentiate inflammatory and neuropathic ocular pain with
neuroimaging, and (2) evince a neurological source of pain symptoms with neuropathic ocular pain. Data
generated from this investigation may be used to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of patients suffering
from chronic ocular pain, and provide an objective marker to base clinical decision making.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10906804
- **Project number:** 5U01EY034686-03
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Eric Alan Moulton
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $958,830
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-09-30 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10906804

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10906804, Differentiation of Clinical Phenotypes of Inflammatory and Neuropathic Ocular Pain Conditions with Morphologic Measures and Functional Brain Imaging (5U01EY034686-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10906804. Licensed CC0.

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