Authors: Perkins, Bruce A.; Bril, Vera

Source: Current Diabetes Reviews, Volume 1, Number 3, November 2005 , pp. 271-280(10)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

This paper reviews emerging interventions from the recent clinical literature that demonstrate the potential for effectiveness in the therapy of the diverse forms of diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy is the primary focus of this review given that it is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy. For this condition, several promising disease-modifying drugs - including inhibitors of the aldose reductase and protein kinase C metabolic pathways - are currently in phase III development. Additional pharmacological agents with an indication to relieve painful symptoms of diabetic neuropathy have been approved by regulatory agencies in the past year. Therapies for other forms of diabetic neuropathy are discussed briefly: For example, evidence exists to suggest that immunomodulation may be effective for diabetic lumbosacral plexoradiculoneuropathy ('diabetic amyotrophy'), and is effective in diabetic patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy regardless of the coexistence of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Furthermore, strategies for the management of autonomic neuropathies are itemized. As a whole, current evidence suggests that diabetic neuropathy should not be dismissed as an untreatable disorder, and physicians need to focus on the accurate diagnosis of this complication in order to subsequently offer appropriate therapy to patients.

Keywords: oxidative stress; diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy; type 1 diabetes patients; aldose reductase inhibitors; Protein Kinase C; Anti-Oxidant Therapy; Nerve Growth Factors; Anti-Epileptic Drugs; Mononeuropathies

Document Type: Review article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157339905774574338

Affiliations: 1: EN11-209, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 2C4.

Publication date: 2005-11-01

More about this publication?

• Current Diabetes Reviews publishes frontier reviews on all the latest advances on diabetes and its related areas e.g. pharmacology, pathogenesis, complications, epidemiology, clinical care, and therapy.
  
  The journal's aim is to publish the highest quality review articles dedicated to clinical research in the field. The journal is essential reading for all researchers and clinicians who are involved in the field of diabetes.

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