RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

7 Tesla MRI Brain Imaging to Decipher Filgotinib's Mode of Analgesic Action in Rheumatoid Arthritis

This research is looking into how a medicine called filgotinib helps people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) feel less pain. Doctors know it works well and quickly, but they don't fully understand why. The study uses advanced MRI brain scans to examine two main ideas. One idea is that filgotinib might change how the brain processes pain, similar to how it works in conditions like fibromyalgia. The second idea is that it might reduce swelling in the joints. By understanding these effects, especially how quickly the brain changes happen, researchers hope to explain why filgotinib eases pain so rapidly, offering new insights into how to treat RA pain effectively.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Enrolment target

Start

22 Aug 2023

Estimated completion

31 Oct 2025

Rheumatoid Arthritis Sickness Behavior Inflammatory Disease Autoimmune Pain, Chronic

What is this study about?

If you live with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you know that pain can be a huge challenge, even when your other symptoms are well managed. Many people with RA still experience significant pain, even after treatment that successfully reduces inflammation. This study aims to understand why this happens and how a newer medicine called filgotinib helps to ease this pain.

Researchers believe that the pain in RA isn't just due to inflammation in your joints. They think your brain might also play a big part in how you experience pain. This study uses a special type of brain scan, a 7 Tesla MRI, which is very detailed, to look at how filgotinib affects the brain. The scientists want to see if the medicine changes the way different parts of your brain talk to each other, especially areas linked to pain, or if it mainly works by reducing swelling in your joints and elsewhere in your body.

Filgotinib is known for helping to reduce pain quite quickly, often within a couple of weeks, which is faster than many other RA treatments. By understanding whether it's the brain's pain pathways changing or the physical inflammation improving (or both), researchers hope to find better ways to treat RA pain in the future. This knowledge could help doctors choose the most effective treatments for different people with RA, offering more tailored and faster relief.

Key takeaways

This study uses advanced brain scans to understand how filgotinib helps RA pain.
Researchers want to know if it changes brain's pain signals or reduces inflammation.
It's an observational study, meaning you'll continue your prescribed treatment.
The findings could help doctors improve pain relief for people with RA.
Participation involves a single visit for a detailed brain MRI scan.
This study is for people aged 18-74 who are already taking filgotinib for RA.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for people aged between 18 and 74 years old who have active rheumatoid arthritis that is moderate to severe. You would need to have been prescribed filgotinib by your doctor as part of your usual care and be right-handed.

There are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you can't give your clear permission to take part, or if you have a significant physical problem like severe sight or hearing loss, or paralysis. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have severe claustrophobia (a fear of enclosed spaces) that would make having an MRI scan difficult, you wouldn't be able to participate.

You also can't take part if you have any medical conditions that would make an MRI scan unsafe for you, or if you have certain neurological conditions like MS or if you've had a stroke or a severe head injury. Finally, if you've previously taken other specific types of RA medications called targeted synthetic DMARDs (like baricitinib or tofacitinib), you wouldn't be able to join this particular study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 74 years old?
Have you been prescribed filgotinib for your rheumatoid arthritis?
Do you have moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis?
Are you right-handed?
Can you undergo an MRI scan safely (e.g., no severe claustrophobia, no unsafe metal in your body)?
Have you NOT previously taken baricitinib or tofacitinib for RA?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This is an observational study, which means researchers will be looking at what happens as you take filgotinib, rather than giving you a new or different treatment. You will have a single visit to the study centre. During this visit, you will undergo a special 7 Tesla MRI brain scan. There is no specified end date; this is a single measurement rather than a follow-up trial. You will not be given the medication as part of the study; it is assumed you are already taking filgotinib as prescribed by your doctor. The study focuses on understanding the effects of the medication you are already taking.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in research always has potential benefits and risks. While this study doesn't offer direct medical benefits to you, your contribution could help doctors better understand rheumatoid arthritis pain and how treatments like filgotinib work, potentially leading to improved care for others in the future. The main risk involves the MRI scan, which is generally safe but does mean spending time in an enclosed space; if you have claustrophobia, this might be uncomfortable. There are also very rare risks associated with the strong magnetic fields of MRI, but you will be screened carefully for any metal in your body. Remember, you can choose to stop taking part in the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Neil Basu
Verified postcode
Glasgow, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?

RA is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. It's an autoimmune disease, meaning your body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues.

What is Filgotinib?

Filgotinib is a medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It works by targeting specific pathways in the body to reduce inflammation and pain.

What is a 7 Tesla MRI scan?

It's a very powerful and detailed type of brain scan that helps researchers see changes in the brain more clearly than standard MRI scans.

Will I get any results from my scan?

The scans are for research purposes to understand general patterns. Individual scan results are not typically given back to participants.

Do I have to stop my current RA medication to join?

No, this study is for people already prescribed filgotinib. You would continue taking your medication as your doctor has advised.

How to find out more

Maxine Arnott

maxine.arnott@glasgow.ac.uk 0141 330 8388 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.