A Skin Cream For Peripheral Neuropathy?


BOSTON, Jan. 21, 2014

Small molecule given topically ameliorates small-fiber neuropathy in mice

BOSTON, Jan. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have developed a skin cream that may relieve a difficult-to-treat form of peripheral neuropathy that is common in people with diabetes and affects millions of people in the U.S. As reported in this week's edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the topical cream tested well in two mouse models of small-fiber neuropathy.

Small-fiber neuropathy, affecting millions of people in the U.S., causes pain, tingling and the loss of sensation, usually starting in the feet. Loss of sensation in the feet can increase the chances of ulcers and infections that may lead to amputation, a well-known problem in diabetes. Small-fiber neuropathy also can result from other autoimmune diseases, HIV infection and chemotherapy treatment. Current treatments consist of analgesics to reduce pain, but these cause unwanted side effects, do not restore sensation and do not address the underlying cause of the neuropathy.

Because small-fiber neuropathy is known to degenerate the nerve endings of sensory neurons and the loss of a group of factors stimulating nerve growth (GNDF),

Gabriel Corfas, PhD, of the F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center at Boston Children's, wondered if replenishing GDNF could improve sensory neurons' health and function...



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