Biomarker Investigation & Study of Pathology in Neuropathy (Bio-SPIN)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating biomarkers, pathophysiology, and outcome in inflammatory and non-inflammatory neuropathies
IRAS ID
117960
Contact name
Simon Rinaldi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Research summary
Peripheral neuropathy is a disease of the nerves which can cause weakness, loss of sensation, pain, and even problems with breathing and control of the heart rate, blood pressure and gut. Peripheral neuropathy is common. Around 2 to 8% of the population are affected, and the condition is more common with increasing age. There are very many different causes. Some peripheral neuropathies are inherited; others are caused by the body’s own immune system (‘inflammatory neuropathies”), some result from toxins, infections, or vitamin deficiencies. In a significant proportion of cases at present no underlying cause is identified. The disease progresses at different rates, even when the cause is the same. Some people recover completely, some are left with disability, and in others the disease continues to progress. Currently only limited, general information on prognosis can be given to an individual patient. In most cases, treatments are only partially effective at best.\n\nThis study will recruit adult patients being investigated and/or treated for peripheral neuropathy under the care of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust.\n\nThis broad aims of this study are to;\n\n1. Identify clinical features and blood test markers, including antibodies, which may aid with diagnosis and prediction of outcome for peripheral neuropathies and/or correlate with response to specific treatments. \n\n2. Establish why some patients are more susceptible to developing peripheral neuropathies than others.\n\n3. Characterise the disease mechanisms of peripheral neuropathy to guide the development of future therapies..\n\nFulfilling these aims will require an integration of clinical data and the results of existing tests. The utility new tests, including those performed on existing and newly acquired blood samples, will also be assessed. The progression of neuropathies will be monitored where appropriate with structured clinical examination, questionnaires, and specialised tests such as nerve conduction studies. [COVID-19 amendment 06/05/2020] Expansion of recruitment methods, to include participant identification via national surveillance schemes and diagnostic antibody testing, and request for blanket approval for all NHS sites. Adding Covid-19 related elements to study. PIS updated with standard GDPR wording. Consent forms retained as per University of Oxford policy. Non-ctIMP requesting blanket approval for all NHS sites for Covid-19 study elements collecting tissue.
REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SC/0280
Date of REC Opinion
18 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion