Nerve Excitability Testing in Peripheral Neuropathy - V1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Can functional changes detected by Nerve Excitability Testing (NET) predict the development of axonal loss and/or symptomatic peripheral neuropathy in patients at risk due to neurotoxic treatment or genetic predisposition?
IRAS ID
351273
Contact name
Elisaveta Sokolov
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guys & St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 30 days
Research summary
At Guy’s & St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT), patients with suspected nerve damage caused by certain medications e.g. thalidomide, or with rare genetic conditions e.g.xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) are often referred for nerve tests called Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS). These tests help diagnose nerve damage but usually only detect problems once nerve cells are already permanently damaged. Patients who have undergone chemotherapy treatments are often referred for NCS for diagnostic purposes after symptoms such as tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness have already started.
In contrast, patients with XP or those receiving treatments like thalidomide are often monitored regularly before symptoms appear, as some develop nerve problems while others do not. Currently, there are no reliable tests (e.g. biomarkers) to predict who will develop nerve damage.
This study will investigate the use of a non-invasive test called Nerve Excitability Testing (NET). NET measures how well nerves function by applying small electrical pulses to the skin and recording the nerve’s response. Unlike standard tests, NET can detect early changes in nerve function before permanent damage occurs.
The aim is to see whether NET can predict which patients undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy (e.g. taxanes) or immunomodulatory therapy (e.g. thalidomide) or those with DNA repair disorders like XP will develop nerve damage. Detecting early changes could help doctors adjust treatments, provide support, and possibly prevent serious nerve problems.
Although NET has shown promise in certain chemotherapy-related nerve damage (e.g. Oxaliplatin), its use across other treatments like thalidomide, and in genetic conditions like XP has not been studied. This research will explore whether NET can become a useful tool at GSTT for earlier diagnosis and better management of nerve health in these vulnerable patients.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SW/0151
Date of REC Opinion
4 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion