Brain Mechanisms of Attention and Pain in Youth With FAPD

The goal of the current project is to enhance understanding of the neural mechanisms associated with the pain experience in youth with functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPD), which is the most common and debilitating presentation of FAPD. This study will examine the neural mechanisms associated with pain induction and diminished attentional regulation during pain in FAPD. Findings from pilot studies indicate that increased anxiety in FAPD is associated with higher pain-related impairment, and that anxiety may adversely impact response to a cognitive behavioral intervention for pain. While pain outcomes improve when anxiety is also addressed in treatment for FAPD, a sizable portion fail to respond to currently available interventions. Further, the PI found that induced pain in FAPD is associated with changes in regional brain activity and functional connectivity between brain regions that are implicated in chronic pain. It is crucial to better understand the neural mechanisms which may place youth with FAPD at risk for poorer outcomes in order to ultimately develop more effective treatments. In this study, neural mechanisms of response to a pain symptom provocation task in youth with FAPD will be compared to healthy controls. The impact of anxiety levels will also be explored. This study will also examine neural mechanisms associated with disrupted attentional regulation during pain induction in youth with FAPD.