Mark Zuppichini Awarded NIH U24 Music Networks Pilot Research Grant

Mark Zuppichini, Ph.D., a post-doctoral research scientist in Professor Joshua Sandry's Cognition and Neurocognitive Disorders Research Lab, has been awarded a NIH U24 Music Networks Pilot Research grant to explore the neural mechanisms of music-based interventions (MBIs) for the treatment of pain in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Treatments for chronic pain related to TBI are limited in number and efficacy. There is strong potential for alternative and complementary MBI approaches to fill the gap in treating TBI-related chronic pain. MBIs that use active participation are more effective than passive or receptive MBI paradigms that involve only listening. Active music participation has analgesic effects, promote psychosocial support and to reduce levels of pain and depression, while also supporting improved motor recovery. 

The main aim of the funded study is to investigate the mechanism of MBIs that utilize improvisational music for the treatment of chronic pain in pwTBI. Based on previous research, the study hypothesizes that stimulating the reward system with MBIs will lead to lower chronic pain in pwTBI. It will use electroencephalography (EEG) to measure the neurophysiologic relationships between pain, the reward system, and improvisational MBIs in pwTBI. By measuring neurophysiologic changes to differing levels of active MBIs and their effects on pain outcomes, this project will lay a solid foundation for future MBIs targeting chronic pain in pwTBI.

Dr. Zuppichini is funded by a generous gift supporting Neuro-Music Research by the Ott family through David’s Fund of the Community Foundation of New Jersey.