Peter J. Dyck, M.D.

Closed for Enrollment

• Blood Collection for Research Studies in Peripheral Neuropathy Rochester, Minn.

  This study is being done so that blood (plasma and blood cells) and/or extra spinal fluid can be obtained and stored for later research. Four categories of nerve disease are being studied:

  1. Patients and their relatives who might have inherited neuropathies of various kinds.
  2. Patients with metabolic disease such as diabetes mellitus.
  3. Patients with immune neuropathies.
  4. Patients with neurologic syndromes of unknown causes.

   

• Evaluation of 3, 2 ,1 Touch Pressure Sensation Testing Algorithm in Quantitative Sensation Testing Rochester, Minn.

  The purpose of this study is to assess whether the newer, faster pressure sensation test gives reliable results as compared with the older, slower forced choice version which takes more time. 

• Intra-epidermal Nerve Fiber Densities (IENFDs): A Study of Olmsted County Inhabitants and Surrounding Area, Including Normal Subjects, Patients with Neuropathy or Impaired Glucose and Newly Diagnosed Diabetics Rochester, Minn.

  This is a study of nerve fibers to the skin of your body, counts of which are used to determine disease of nerves called "small nerve fiber neuropathy." Counting nerve fibers of a small sample of skin gives an indication of whether the numbers of these fibers are normal or decreased. A decreased number is an indication of abnormality, that is, of disease of small nerve fibers (small fiber sensory neuropathy). This study, therefore, may be useful in diagnosing small fiber sensory neuropathy in people who have diabetes mellitus and other diseases. Skin samples will be used to determine what is normal for age, gender, and other physical features.

• The Effect of Ablation of Epidermal Nerve Fibers Using 0.1% Capsaicin Cream on Spontaneous Cutaneous Burning Pain, Tactile Hyperalgesia, and Thermal Hyperalgesia: A Controlled, Masked Trial With an N of 1 Rochester, Minn.

  This is a study of epidermal (the outer most layer) nerve fibers (ENFs) in the skin of the body; counts of which are used to determine a disease of nerves called "small nerve fiber neuropathy."

  Capsaicin is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pain relief. Since 0.1% capsaicin is known to cause ablation (removal) of ENFs, this study will test whether such ablation results in relief of spontaneous pain, touch, or heat-pain.