Department of Neurology

Facilities

Cutaneous Innervation Laboratory

The University of Utah Cutaneous Innervation Laboratory is located in dedicated space in the Neurology Department in the School of Medicine Building.  The lab serves as a core resource for several NIH and foundation funded research projects.   The lab has experience using skin biopsy as a progression measure in the Cutaneous Measures of Diabetic Neuropathy cohort study (R01-DK064814), studies of impaired glucose tolerance neuropathy, and several treatment studies in human subjects and animal models. The laboratory presently processes an average of 15 biopsies weekly, approximately 20% of which are sent from outside collaborators. This study will employ a dedicated technician.  The lab technicians are responsible for shipping biopsy kits, receiving specimens, processing and analysis of skin biopsy tissue. A secure database maintained by the University of Utah General Clinical Research Center Bioinformatics Core is used to track each punch biopsy and tissue section and to maintain data.

General Clinical Research Center (GCRC)

All study visits will occur in the GCRC.  The GCRC operates an 8500 square foot facility on the fifth floor of the University Hospital.  There are 8 inpatient rooms and 6 outpatient exam suites. Clerical support services for patient scheduling and follow-up are available. Nursing support is available for phlebotomy and skin biopsy support.  Nutritional, pharmacy, and laboratory support are provided. 

The University of Utah Neurophysiology Core Laboratory (UNCL)

The Utah Neurophysiology Core Laboratory (UNCL) is located in the School of Medicine Building, two floors below the GCRC.  The space includes both office and subject evaluation space.  Neurophysiologic testing is provided for research studies from investigators within and outside the Neurology Department.  The UNCL technician provides written reports of all testing procedures on the same day of service.