The Enteric Nervous System in Spinal Cord Injury: Study of the Enteric Nervous System and the Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Via Colonic Biopsies in Spinal Cord Injury Patients

Launched by NANTES UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Jul 13, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the enteric nervous system (ENS) and the intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) in patients who have spinal cord injuries (SCI). The researchers want to understand how the intestines work in these patients, looking at various factors like how well the intestine allows substances to pass through and how the nerve cells in the gut are behaving. They will compare findings from SCI patients with healthy controls and see if there are connections between gut health and the severity of the spinal cord injury. The ultimate goal is to find potential treatment targets that could lead to new therapies for these patients.

To participate in this study, individuals must be between 18 and 80 years old, have a spinal cord injury (either from trauma or other causes), and be scheduled for a colonoscopy or rectosigmoidoscopy at the Nantes University Hospital. Participants will have small tissue samples taken from their intestines during this procedure to help researchers gather the necessary information. It’s important to know that individuals with certain medical conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease or those who are pregnant, may not be eligible to participate. This study is currently recruiting participants, and the information gathered may help improve understanding and treatment options for those with spinal cord injuries.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria for patient with spinal cord injury:
• • Patient with signed consent Patient over 18 and under 80 years of age Patient with acquired traumatic or non-traumatic spinal cord injury Patient with an indication for colonoscopy or rectosigmoidoscopy at the Nantes University Hospital Gastroenterology Department Eligible for French social security Patient enrolled in the COSCINUS cohort
• Inclusion criteria for control group:
• • Subject with signed consent Subject over 18 and under 80 years of age Subject free of any neurological pathology, with an indication for screening or preventive colonoscopy in the context of a personal or family history of polyps, or familial colon cancer, in the gastroenterology department of the Nantes University Hospital.
• Exclusion Criteria for patients with spinal cord injury:
• • Patients in emergency situations, deprived of liberty, or not covered by the social security system Patient under legal protection Patient suffering from an inflammatory digestive disease Patient on anticoagulant therapy with no possibility of discontinuation or relay Patient with contraindications to colonoscopy/rectosigmoidoscopy Pregnant or breast-feeding patient
• Exclusion criteria for control group:
• • Treatment with anticoagulants Treatment with antiaggregants Subject with a coagulation disorder Subject having finally an abnormal colonoscopy (discovery of any pathology other than one or more benign polyps)