Understanding and Managing Diabetic Neuropathy: Current Perspectives and Future Directions

  • 2,147

    Total Downloads

  • 8,483

    Total Views and Downloads

Submit your idea

Select the journal/section where you want your idea to be submitted:

Submit your manuscript summarySubmit your manuscript

About this Research Topic

Submission closed

Background

Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is a debilitating complication of diabetes mellitus affecting millions worldwide. It is characterized by nerve damage from prolonged exposure to high blood sugar levels. It is a type of nerve damage that can occur in individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This condition manifests as a wide range of sensory and motor symptoms, such as pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness, significantly impacting the quality of life for affected individuals. The pathophysiological mechanisms of PDN are complex and multifactorial, including metabolic disorders, vascular damage, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation.

The most severe complications of diabetes arise in part from reactive dicarbonyl compounds via the covalent modification of proteins, resulting in advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Type 2 diabetes is associated with elevated blood levels of methylglyoxal (MG), a highly reactive metabolite produced during glucose metabolism. It is known to be elevated in individuals with diabetes and has been implicated in the development of diabetic complications, including neuropathy. MG-derived AGE methylglyoxal-hydroimidazolone 1 (MGH1) also correlates with the development of PDN. MG can modify proteins and DNA, leading to cellular dysfunction and damage to nerve cells. In addition to MG, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive molecules, including free radicals like superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. In diabetes, chronically elevated blood sugar levels can lead to increased ROS production. ROS can damage cellular components, including lipids, proteins, and DNA, through oxidative stress. In PDN, oxidative stress is a crucial contributor to nerve damage. Neuroinflammation is another critical aspect of PDN. Chronic hyperglycemia can activate immune cells and trigger an inflammatory response within the nerves. This inflammation leads to further damage to nerve cells and exacerbates the neuropathic symptoms experienced by individuals with diabetes.

Rodent models have played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of PDN. Researchers use these models to simulate the effects of diabetes on nerve function and study the mechanisms involved. They have been instrumental in investigating the roles of MG, ROS, and neuroinflammation in the development and progression of neuropathy. While rodent models provide valuable insights, it's essential to translate these findings to human patients. Studies involving humans have confirmed the relevance of MG, ROS, and neuroinflammation in PDN. Clinical trials targeting these mechanisms are ongoing to develop novel therapies to alleviate neuropathic symptoms and slow disease progression. Understanding these processes at the molecular level provides hope for the development of targeted therapies to prevent, manage, or mitigate the impact of PDN in both rodents and, most importantly, humans. Further research in this field promises improved treatments and enhanced quality of life for those affected by this debilitating complication of diabetes.

The primary goal of this Research Topic is to address the challenges associated with PDN and propose strategies to enhance its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. By gathering cutting-edge research and multidisciplinary perspectives, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of the mechanisms involved in the development and progression of PDN. Additionally, we seek to identify novel biomarkers, imaging techniques, and therapeutic targets that can aid in early detection, risk stratification, and targeted interventions. Ultimately, this Research Topic aims to bridge the gap between research findings and clinical practice, providing actionable insights to improve patient outcomes. We invite contributions from researchers, clinicians, and experts in PDN. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

- Pathophysiology of PDN, including molecular mechanisms and cellular interactions
- Diagnostic approaches and assessment tools for timely and accurate identification of neuropathy
- Risk factors and predictive models for PDN development and progression
- Non-pharmacological interventions, such as exercise and lifestyle modifications, for preventing and managing neuropathy symptoms
- Novel pharmacological and therapeutic approaches, including neuroprotective agents and targeted therapies
- Rehabilitation strategies for improving functional outcomes and quality of life in patients with PDN
- Patient education and self-management strategies for effective neuropathy management

We welcome original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, clinical trials, translational studies, and perspectives that advance our understanding of PDN and propose actionable recommendations for clinical practice.

Keywords: diabetic neuropathy, neural inflammation, oxidative stress, diabetic neuropathic pain, neuroimage

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

Topic editors

Frequently asked questions

  • Frontiers' Research Topics are collaborative hubs built around an emerging theme.Defined, managed, and led by renowned researchers, they bring communities together around a shared area of interest to stimulate collaboration and innovation.

    Unlike section journals, which serve established specialty communities, Research Topics are pioneer hubs, responding to the evolving scientific landscape and catering to new communities.

  • The goal of Frontiers' publishing program is to empower research communities to actively steer the course of scientific publishing. Our program was implemented as a three-part unit with fixed field journals, flexible specialty sections, and dynamically emerging Research Topics, connecting communities of different sizes and maturity.

    Research Topics originate from the scientific community. Many of our Research Topics are suggested by existing editorial board members who have identified critical challenges or areas of interest in their field.

  • As an editor, Research Topics will help you build your journal, as well as your community, around emerging, cutting-edge research. As research trailblazers, Research Topics attract high-quality submissions from leading experts all over the world.

    A thriving Research Topic can potentially evolve into a new specialty section if there is sustained interest and a growing community around it.

  • Each Research Topic must be approved by the specialty chief editor, and they fall under the editorial oversight of our editorial boards, supported by our in-house research integrity team. The same standards and rigorous peer review processes apply to articles published as part of a Research Topic as for any other article we publish.

      In 2023, 80% of the Research Topics we published were edited or co-edited by our editorial board members, who are already familiar with their journal's scope, ethos, and publishing model. All other topics are guest edited by leaders in their field, each vetted and formally approved by the specialty chief editor.

  • Publishing your article within a Research Topic with other related articles increases its discoverability and visibility, which can lead to more views, downloads, and citations. Research Topics grow dynamically as more published articles are added, causing frequent revisiting, and further visibility.

    As Research Topics are multidisciplinary, they are cross-listed in several fields and section journals – increasing your reach even more and giving you the chance to expand your network and collaborate with researchers in different fields, all focusing on expanding knowledge around the same important topic.

    Our larger Research Topics are also converted into ebooks and receive social media promotion from our digital marketing team.

     

  • Frontiers offers multiple article types, but it will depend on the field and section journals in which the Research Topic will be featured. The available article types for a Research Topic will appear in the drop-down menu during the submission process.

    Check available article types here 

  • Yes, we would love to hear your ideas for a topic. Most of our Research Topics are community-led and suggested by researchers in the field. Our in-house editorial team will contact you to talk about your idea and whether you’d like to edit the topic. If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. 

    Suggest your topic here 

  • A team of guest editors (called topic editors) lead their Research Topic. This editorial team oversees the entire process, from the initial topic proposal to calls for participation, the peer review, and final publications.

    The team may also include topic coordinators, who help the topic editors send calls for participation, liaise with topic editors on abstracts, and support contributing authors. In some cases, they can also be assigned as reviewers.

  • As a topic editor (TE), you will take the lead on all editorial decisions for the Research Topic, starting with defining its scope. This allows you to curate research around a topic that interests you, bring together different perspectives from leading researchers across different fields and shape the future of your field. 

     

    You will choose your team of co-editors, curate a list of potential authors, send calls for participation and oversee the peer review process, accepting or recommending rejection for each manuscript submitted.

  • As a topic editor, you're supported at every stage by our in-house team. You will be assigned a single point of contact to help you on both editorial and technical matters. Your topic is managed through our user-friendly online platform, and the peer review process is supported by our industry-first AI review assistant (AIRA).

  • If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. This provides you with valuable editorial experience, improving your ability to critically evaluate research articles and enhancing your understanding of the quality standards and requirements for scientific publishing, as well as the opportunity to discover new research in your field, and expand your professional network.

  • Yes, certificates can be issued on request. We are happy to provide a certificate for your contribution to editing a successful Research Topic.

  • Research Topics thrive on collaboration and their multi-disciplinary approach around emerging, cutting-edge themes, attract leading researchers from all over the world.

  • As a topic editor, you can set the timeline for your Research Topic, and we will work with you at your pace. Typically, Research Topics are online and open for submissions within a few weeks and remain open for participation for 6 – 12 months. Individual articles within a Research Topic are published as soon as they are ready.

    Find out more about our Research Topics

  • Our fee support program ensures that all articles that pass peer review, including those published in Research Topics, can benefit from open access – regardless of the author's field or funding situation.

    Authors and institutions with insufficient funding can apply for a discount on their publishing fees. A fee support application form is available on our website.

  • In line with our mission to promote healthy lives on a healthy planet, we do not provide printed materials. All our articles and ebooks are available under a CC-BY license, so you can share and print copies.

     

Participating Journals

Impact

  • 8,483Topic views
  • 5,287Article views
  • 2,147Article downloads
View impact