Understanding different types of gastroparesis and similar stomach‑emptying problems
Exploration of Subtypes of Gastroparesis and Gastroparesis-like Symptoms based on Physiological Testing
This project uses stomach muscle and nerve tests plus procedures and medication trials to find distinct types of gastroparesis and help people with chronic upper‑abdominal symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11158974 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a multicenter consortium that continues a gastroparesis patient registry and adds a new protocol focused on the pylorus. Clinicians will perform physiological tests such as gastric myoelectrical monitoring, measures of stomach accommodation and sensitivity, antral‑pyloric contractility testing, and pyloric distensibility measurements. Some participants may be offered pyloric balloon dilation, others may be randomized to a medication (buspirone) or placebo, and biospecimens may be collected for molecular studies. The aim is to group patients by measurable stomach function so treatments can be better matched to each person.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with diagnosed gastroparesis or ongoing upper‑GI symptoms (including those with normal gastric emptying called functional dyspepsia) who can undergo physiological testing and possible procedures are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People whose symptoms are due to a mechanical obstruction, non‑gastric causes, or who cannot safely undergo the required tests or procedures are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable more precise diagnoses and tailored treatments—such as medications or pyloric therapies—that reduce nausea, vomiting, and early fullness.
How similar studies have performed: Previous registry efforts and smaller trials of pyloric‑targeted procedures and medications like buspirone have helped some patients but results have been mixed, so larger multicenter data are needed.
Where this research is happening
Winston-Salem, United States
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences — Winston-Salem, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moshiree, Baharak — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Moshiree, Baharak
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.