Pathophysiology of neuropathic pain in type 2 diabetes: skin denervation and contact heat-evoked potentials.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Neuropathic pain due to small-fiber sensory neuropathy in type 2 diabetes can be diagnosed by skin biopsy with quantification of intra-epidermal nerve fiber (IENF) density. There is, however, a lack of noninvasive physiological assessment. Contact heat-evoked potential (CHEP) is a newly developed approach to record cerebral responses of Aδ fiber-mediated thermonociceptive stimuli. We investigated the diagnostic role of CHEP.

Research design and methods

From 2006 to 2009, there were 32 type 2 diabetic patients (20 males and 12 females, aged 51.63 ± 10.93 years) with skin denervation and neuropathic pain. CHEPs were recorded with heat stimulations at the distal leg, where skin biopsy was performed.

Results

CHEP amplitude was reduced in patients compared with a

SUBMITTER: Chao CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2992207 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature