HoldsUp

Nigel A. Calcutt

Nigel A. Calcutt is a researcher specializing in the study and treatment of peripheral nervous system disorders. His research primarily focuses on the mechanisms and therapeutics of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, including the use of muscarinic receptor antagonists to stimulate nerve repair and mitochondrial function. He has also co-authored studies evaluating diagnostic and physiological measures of neuropathy, such as rate-dependent depression of the Hoffmann reflex and nerve fiber density.

19 claims checked on air: 2 overstated 14 supported 3 unverified

What they said on air - citing their own research

1 citing their own research

0:56:02overstatedmoderatetheir own paperExciting Developments in the Treatment of Peripheral Neuropa

WinSanTor has completed two Phase 2 clinical trials showing that topical pirenzepine stimulates nerve regrowth and improves patient-reported outcomes in neuropathy.

"And WinSanTor, with help from Canadian government and the US government, has concluded two phase two clinical trials. Now, both of which have shown success in in showing nerve regrowth and other patient descriptors of effect." (said at 0:56:02)

The speaker claims that two Phase 2 clinical trials have concluded, both demonstrating nerve regrowth and patient-reported improvements. To date, published clinical trial data exist for only one Phase 2a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating topical 4% pirenzepine in 58 participants with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PMID 41352124). While this trial demonstrated a statistically significant increase in lower-limb intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) over 24 weeks compared to placebo, the patient-reported outcome (Norfolk QOL-DN score) showed no significant difference in the primary modified intent-to-treat (mITT) analysis set. Improvement in QOL was observed only in a per-protocol secondary analysis, which the study authors noted requires cautious interpretation due to potential bias. Claiming that two Phase 2 trials have completed and successfully demonstrated both nerve regrowth and patient-reported benefits overstates the published evidence.

Fact-checked episodes

Publications