Insight Into Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Disorders
LipedemaDercum's Disease2 moreThe INSIGHT study aims to phenotype individuals with subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) disorders specifically lipedema and Dercum's disease with an aim to find a cure for the SAT in these disorders that is resistant to diet and exercise.
Developing a Biomarker for Monitoring Clinical Outcomes in Children With Spinal Lipoma.
Lipoma of Spinal Cord'Spinal lipoma' is a condition, present from before birth, in which fatty tissue (lipoma) is attached to the lower end of the spinal cord, tethering it within the vertebral canal. The cord normally moves up and down with respiration, whereas tethering prevents this movement, and can lead to progressive neurological deterioration. The cord and spinal nerves become stretched and their blood supply is damaged irreversibly. Disability may include weakness or pain in the lower body, and urinary disorders in young children. Treatment is surgical, to remove the lipoma and mobilise the spinal cord, with 60 such operations performed per year at Great Ormond Street Hospital. This project aims to develop lipidomic biomarkers in order to predict which children with spinal lipoma are at highest risk of neurological deterioration, and require early surgery, while providing evidence to adopt a more conservative approach for those at lower risk.