Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria for QST: 1. Age ≥18 years 2. Meet either the 1987 or 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria for RA 3. Persistent joint symptoms ≤ 2 years 4. Active inflammatory disease 5. If taking opioids on an as needed (prn) basis, must be able to hold opioid for 12 hours before study procedures 6. If taking NSAIDs, must be able to hold NSAIDS for 24 hours before study procedures 7. If taking a central-acting pain medication, must be on a stable dose and able to stay on a stable dose throughout study Exclusion Criteria for QST: 1. Routine, scheduled opioid use 2. Routine, scheduled prednisone dose \>10 mg or its equivalent 3. Peripheral neuropathy 4. Peripheral vascular disease 5. Raynaud's phenomenon requiring treatment, manifested by claudication or ischemic rest pain 6. Uncontrolled blood pressure Additional Inclusion Criteria for neuroimaging: 1. Age ≤ 80 years old 2. Right-handed or ambidextrous 3. Ability to lie on their back for the duration of the MRI scans Additional Exclusion Criteria for neuroimaging: 1. Severe claustrophobia precluding MRI 2. Unable to fit comfortably in the MRI scanner (usually only occurs if body mass index \>40 kg/m2) 3. Pregnant 4. Contraindications to MRI