← Eichor
Study identifier: NCT06883175 Synced from ClinicalTrials.gov · July 29, 2026
● Recruiting

Evolution of the Chicago Classification: Bridging Physiology and Mechanics

Condition: Dysphagia · Achalasia, Esophageal · Ineffective Esophageal Motility  ·  Sponsor: Northwestern University

PhaseNA
Planned participants575
Who can joinAll sexes, 18 Years to 85 Years
Healthy volunteersNo

About this study

Swallowing difficulties are extremely common and result in substantial morbidity, reduction in the quality of life, and mortality related to malnutrition and complications from regurgitation and aspiration. Unfortunately, our understanding regarding the pathophysiology of dysphagia and GERD has been hampered by focusing predominantly on circular muscle activity and ignoring the essential biomechanical properties of the esophageal wall that promote normal emptying. Our initial work explored the relationship between intrabolus pressure (IBP) and esophagogastric junction (EGJ) compliance as a metric for outflow resistance. This work highlighted the direct relationship between IBP and EGJ opening and was the foundation for the development of the classification scheme utilized around the world to diagnose esophageal motor disorders: "the Chicago Classification" (CC). Despite this improved understanding focused on bolus transit dynamics, there are still significant gaps in our scientific understanding centered on the lack of a true correlate for symptoms, reliable predictive models and effective treatments for Functional dysphagia, IEM and EGJOO. Given these limitations, we have developed novel approaches that combine assessments of primary and secondary peristalsis (a NeuroMyogenic Model of esophageal function). These will leverage our recent findings supporting the importance of the esophageal response to distension in bolus clearance, noting that this response of the esophageal …

This description comes directly from the study's public registry record.

Talk to the study team

John E Pandolfino, MD  ·  3126950182  ·  j-pandolfino@northwestern.edu

Dustin A Carlson, MD  ·  3129264643  ·  dustin.carlson@northwestern.edu

Always discuss trial participation with your own doctor first.

Locations (1)

Northwestern UniversityChicago, Illinois, United StatesRecruiting

Follow this study

Get one email when the public record changes — results posted, or the study's status changes. Nothing else, ever.

We email about this public record only. Unsubscribe anytime with one click. Never medical advice.

Is this your study? This page was generated automatically from the public registry record. Sponsors can claim it — free — to add branding and verified contact routing. Claim this page →

This page is independently generated by Eichor from the public ClinicalTrials.gov record and re-synced daily. It is not the sponsor's official website unless claimed. Nothing here is medical advice; eligibility is always determined by the study team — talk to your own doctor first.

Source record: clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06883175