An interventional study of Research electrode in Pain, Back, Obesity, Morbid and Type 2 Diabetes, sponsored by Oregon Health and Science University. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 21 Years to 70 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-25.
Sponsored by Oregon Health and Science University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The objective of this study is to investigate and utilize spinal cord stimulation (SCS) as an effective approach to eliciting weight loss and potentially alleviating Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), as evidenced by increasing metabolism of adipose tissue.
This research study aims to investigate possible activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) metabolism by upper thoracic spinal cord stimulation (SCS). We believe that our multidisciplinary research team presents a unique opportunity to test whether SCS can activate BAT metabolism, as tested during a routine screening procedure for spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for pain control. Our marker for BAT activation is 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) - positron emission tomography (PET), which has previously been used to gauge cold-evoked BAT activation, and other studies of BAT in humans. We believe this proof-of-concept study could pave the way for a new therapeutic modality for the treatment of morbid obesity, and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
2,373 studies on the registry are indexed under Back Pain; 284 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 10 is below the median of 60 across 1,941 interventional studies indexed under Back Pain.
Browse Back Pain studies →Oregon Health and Science University is the lead sponsor of 676 studies on the registry; 136 are open to participants now.
Of its 49 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 36 (73%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
All subjects will have two PET/CT scans on days 3 and 5 after SCS electrode implantation: (1) Baseline and (2) SCS-activated. Other than SCS activation, both studies will be conducted under identical conditions. For the first scan, subjects will be randomly assigned to either a baseline (no SCS during PET/CT) or with SCS during PET/CT prior to the day of their first scan. The second scan will complete the sequence with either a baseline or SCS-activated scan, as randomized.
Device: Research electrode
An additional research electrode will be placed percutaneously by Tuohy needle in the epidural space at the same time as the SCS trial implant; at lateral T1-2 area randomly assigned to the left or right side of the lateral epidural space, at the time of the procedure. Placement of electrodes is not experimental, but the placement of an additional electrode is a research-driven procedure.
SUVmax
Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of bilateral cervical and supraclavicular regions during SCS activation, in comparison to baseline imaging
Time frame: 1 week
Ipsi- and contralateral BAT during SCS-activation
A comparison of ipsi- and contralateral BAT during SCS-activation. PET/CT images will be reconstructed as per standard clinical routine.
Time frame: 1 week
Plan to share: No
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Oregon Health and Science University