What I'm thinking is that if somehow this "diabetic cure" works on humans too, would that mean that the connection with the nervous system might in fact help those of us with peripheral neuropathy too (or maybe some of us who are idiopathic or pre-diabetic?) Intriguing!

from: http://scienceblogs.com/drcharles/20...r_diabetes.php

In a discovery that has stunned even those behind it, scientists at a Toronto hospital say they have proof the body's nervous system helps trigger diabetes, opening the door to a potential near-cure of the disease that affects millions of Canadians.

Diabetic mice became healthy virtually overnight after researchers injected a substance to counteract the effect of malfunctioning pain neurons in the pancreas.

"I couldn't believe it," said Dr. Michael Salter, a pain expert at the Hospital for Sick Children and one of the scientists. "Mice with diabetes suddenly didn't have diabetes any more."

The researchers caution they have yet to confirm their findings in people, but say they expect results from human studies within a year or so.