Skip to content

The Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Peripheral Nerve Function and Axonal Regeneration

The Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Peripheral Nerve Function and Axonal Regeneration

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02218866
Acronym
BAR
Enrollment
205
Registered
2014-08-18
Start date
2012-01-31
Completion date
2017-12-31
Last updated
2018-04-10

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Obesity, Peripheral Neuropathy

Keywords

Bariatric surgery, Obesity, Neuropathy

Brief summary

The goal of this research is understand if obesity is a major factor for neuropathy development in patients with and without Type 2 diabetes. This study will examine the relationship between weight, metabolism, and nerve function and regeneration.

Detailed description

Peripheral neuropathy causes progressive injury to the longest nerves of the body, starting in the toes, then progressing slowly up the leg. Neuropathy often causes pain, numbness, and weakness if the feet and can lead to reduced mobility, foot ulcers, and even amputation. The most common cause is diabetes, but work at the University of Utah finds that prediabetes and other consequences of obesity, including abnormal cholesterol levels, may be associated with neuropathy. Research has shown that these risk factors may damage nerves and interfere with the ability of nerves to grow back after an injury. This study aims to 1. characterize peripheral nerve function and cutaneous nerve structure in obese bariatric surgery candidates; 2. evaluate peripheral nerve regeneration capacity (and other nerve function measures) before and after bariatric surgery in obese subjects with no or mild neuropathy; 3. examine the relationship between ectopic lipid accumulation, lipotoxic mediators, neuropathy and regeneration capacity in surgical candidates before and one year after surgery.

Interventions

None listed

Sponsors

American Diabetes Association
CollaboratorOTHER
University of Utah
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Age 18-80 years old * Subjects must fulfill criteria for bariatric surgery.

Exclusion criteria

* History of foot ulceration or neurogenic arthropathy * Family history of non-diabetic neuropathy in a first-degree family member. * Presence of any disease known to be associated with peripheral neuropathy including but not limited to vitamin deficiency, toxin exposure, paraproteinemia, heavy alcohol use, hepatitis C, HIV. * Coumadin use. * Inability to understand or cooperate with the procedures of the trial. * Known history of sensitivity to capsaicin products.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Change in reinnervation capacity4 - 1 months prior to bariatric surgery, compared to 9 - 12 months after surgery

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Utah Early Neuropathy Scale (UENS)Baseline to 12 months after bariatric surgery
Change in Nerve Conduction Study measuresBaseline to 12 months after bariatric surgeryNerve Conduction Study is a procedure routinely used in the diagnosis of neuropathy. Measures will include Sural sensory and Peroneal motor amplitudes and conduction velocities.
Change in nerve fiber densityBaseline to 12 months after bariatric surgery

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026