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Brain Activity during Treatment with Placebo
One of the most puzzling facts of medicine is the placebo effect: namely, that a substantial proportion of patients report feeling a relief better after receiving a "sugar pill," or some other treatment with no known benefit for their illness. Between 30 - 60% of patients with illnesses ranging from arthritis to depression report a substantial improvement in their symptoms after receiving a placebo. It is not clear that placebo can "cure" any illness, but the power of the placebo effect in improving symptoms and reducing suffering is impressive. Our research program in this area is designed to help us understand how placebo effects occur and how to distinguish between people who are exhibiting a placebo response and those responding to the specific treatment (e.g. medication).
Grant funding is pending (Dr. Leuchter, PI)
