Current Research

Clinical Trials in Neuropathy and Neuromuscular Disease

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) gene therapy for diabetic neuropathy

Do you have numbness or pain in your feet or legs?
Do you take medication for your diabetes?
You may have a condition called "Diabetic Neuropathy."

We are currently seeking patients with diabetic neuropathy to participate in a study involving Gene Therapy.

This study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Gene Therapy for Diabetic Neuropathy. Total length of participation is approximately 1 year and will involve a thorough screening process followed by 7 visits to the clinic over the next year.

If you are at least 21 years of age, suffer from diabetic neuropathy, and are interested in learning more about participating in this study at Columbia University Medical Center, 710 West 168th Street, NY contact our Research Coordinator, Lyn Goldsmith, RN, BSN, CCRC at (212) 305-6035.

STATUS: Completed



Motor Unit Physiology in Human Neuromuscular Disease

This series of studies introduces and applies new methods for studying the function of the motor nerve in human subjects, both with and without neuromuscular disease.

STATUS: Enrolling



A Multicenter, Single-Blind, Randomized Study Comparing Thymectomy to No Thymectomy in Non-Thymomatous Myasthenia Gravis (MG) Patients Receiving Prednisone

STATUS: Enrolling



Biomarkers in Myasthenia Gravis

STATUS: Enrolling



Taxol therapy in breast cancer: Attempted neuroprotection through glutamine co-administration.

This study tests whether glutamine, given at the time of taxol chemotherapy, can help protect breast cancer patients from chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

STATUS: Completed

FOR MORE INFORMATION: See "Stubblefield M, Vahdat L, Balmaceda C, Troxel A, Hesdorffer C, Gooch C: Glutamine as a neuroprotective agent in high-dose paclitaxel-induced neuropathy: A clinical and electrophysiologic study. Clinical Oncology, 2005; 17: 271-276."



Dichloroacetate (DCA) treatment trial for Mitochondrial encephalopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like syndrome (MELAS)

This study tests whether dicholoracetate (DCA) can successfully treat the mitochondrial disease MELAS and whether the benefits of DCA treatment outweigh its potential to cause peripheral neuropathy.

STATUS: Completed

FOR MORE INFORMATION: See "Kaufmann P, Engelstad K, Wei Y, Jhung S, Sano MC, Shungu DC, Millar WS, Hong X, Gooch CL, Mao X, Pascual JM, Hirano M, Stacpoole PW, DiMauro S, and De Vivo DC: Dichloroacetate causes toxic neuropathy in MELAS: A randomized, controlled clinical trial. Neurology, 2006; 66: 324-330."



The utility of segmental nerve conduction studies in ulnar mononeuropathy at the elbow

This study evaluates the utility of a sensitive neurophysiologic test (segmental nerve conduction studies) as a clinical diagnostic tool in detecting common compressive injury of the ulnar nerve at the elbow.

STATUS: Completed

FOR MORE INFORMATION: See "Azrieli Y, Weimer L, Lovelace R, and Gooch C: The utility of segmental nerve conduction studies in ulnar mononeuropathy at the elbow. Muscle and Nerve 2003; 27: 46-50."


Basic Science of Nerve and Muscle

The role of RAGE in peripheral nervous system degeneration and regeneration.

This series of basic science studies explore the role of the Receptor for Advanced Glycosolation End products (RAGE) on nerve degeneration and recovery following traumatic nerve injury.

STATUS: Ongoing bench research; no human component at present.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: See "Rong LL, Gooch C, Szabolcs M, Herold KC, Hays AP, Yan SF, Du Yan SS, and Schmidt AM: RAGE & the Nervous System: Striking A Fine Balance Between Injury & Repair. Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience. 2006;23:355-65.



Studies of Human Motor Unit Physiology

This series of studies introduces and applies new methods for studying the function of the motor nerve in human subjects over time.

STATUS: Ongoing

FOR MORE INFORMATION: See "Gooch C, Kaufmann P and Harati Y. Multiple point stimulation motor unit number estimation with integrated single motor unit tracking. Supplements to Clinical Neurophysiology 2003; 55: 72-76." AND "Gooch C. Longitudinal single motor unit tracking: Techniques and applications. Supplements to Clinical Neurophysiology 2003; 55: 245-252."



New Diagnostic Methods and Insights in Critical Care Neuropathy and Myopathy

This study explores the dual roles of nerve and muscle damage in causing muscle weakness in patients with severe illness confined to the critical care unit.

STATUS: Ongoing

FOR MORE INFORMATION: See "Trojaborg W, Kaufmann P, Gooch C: Motor unit number estimate in the anterior tibial muscle: Normative data versus findings in critical ill patients in intensive care units. Journal of Clinical Neuromuscular Diseases 2002;3:139-142."


Projects In Development:

NOTE: We are actively seeking funding for these studies, which remain in development and are not yet launched or enrolling.

If you are an individual, organization or company and may be interested in underwriting one of the below projects, please contact Clifton Gooch, MD at 212-305-0405.

Neuroprotection and Nerve Restoration in Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)

Primary pharmacologic therapy in Hereditary Sensory Motor Neuropathy Type I (Charcot Marie Tooth disease, or CMT).