Evolution of Brain Changes in Painful-DPN
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Evolution of Structural Brain Alterations in Painful-Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
IRAS ID
343905
Contact name
Gordon Sloan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 0 days
Research summary
Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (Painful-DPN) is a common complication of Diabetes Mellitus. It leads to often severe and unremitting pain in the feet, which can lead to excessive healthcare costs and a reduced quality of life. Unfortunately, the mechanisms underlying the condition are poorly understood, particularly the progression of brain alterations. Therefore, our treatments for this condition are poor, and none exist which target the underlying disease processes. Thus, this study aims to investigate the progression of structural brain changes in people with Painful-DPN and relate these to nerve function changes in peoples' legs and feet.
This study will be performed at the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and will recruit people under the Diabetes Service from the latter. We will recruit 150 participants who have previously undergone structural brain imaging within our research studies. These participants will be equally divided into three groups, people with Painful-DPN, DPN without Pain and people with Diabetes without DPN. These participants will be invited to two research visits. The first will be to perform testing of the nerves of the feet and legs, to assess nerve function. The second will be to perform a short brain scan (5-10 minutes) to determine brain structure.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NW/0204
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jun 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion