Peripheral neuropathy describes damage to the peripheral nervous system, which transmits information from the brain and spinal cord to every other part of the body.More than 100 types of peripheral neuropathy have been identified, each with its own characteristic set of symptoms, pattern of development, and prognosis. Impaired function and symptoms depend on the type of nerves -- motor, sensory, or autonomic -- that are damaged.  Some people may experience temporary numbness, tingling, and pricking sensations, sensitivity to touch, or muscle weakness. Others may suffer more extreme symptoms, including burning pain (especially at night), muscle wasting, paralysis, or organ or gland dysfunction. Peripheral neuropathy may be either inherited or acquired. Causes of acquired peripheral neuropathy include physical injury (trauma) to a nerve, tumors, toxins, autoimmune responses, nutritional deficiencies, alcoholism, and vascular and metabolic disorders. Acquired peripheral neuropathies are caused by systemic disease, trauma from external agents, or infections or autoimmune disorders affecting nerve tissue. Inherited forms of peripheral neuropathy are caused by inborn mistakes in the genetic code or by new genetic mutations. No medical treatments exist that can cure inherited peripheral neuropathy. However, there are therapies for many other forms.  In general, adopting healthy habits -- such as maintaining optimal weight, avoiding exposure to toxins, following a physician-supervised exercise program, eating a balanced diet, correcting vitamin deficiencies, and limiting or avoiding alcohol consumption -- can reduce the physical and emotional effects of peripheral neuropathy.  Systemic diseases frequently require more complex treatments. In acute neuropathies, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, symptoms appear suddenly, progress rapidly, and resolve slowly as damaged nerves heal. In chronic forms, symptoms begin subtly and progress slowly. Some people may have periods of relief followed by relapse. Others may reach a plateau stage where symptoms stay the same for many months or years. Some chronic neuropathies worsen over time, but very few forms prove fatal unless complicated by other diseases. Occasionally the neuropathy is a symptom of another disorder. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct research related to peripheral neuropathies in laboratories at the NIH and also support additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country.  Current research projects funded by the NINDS involve investigations of genetic factors associated with hereditary neuropathies, studies of biological mechanisms involved in diabetes-associated neuropathies, and investigations exploring how the immune system contributes to peripheral nerve damage.  Neuropathic pain is a primary target of NINDS-sponsored studies aimed at developing more effective therapies for symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Some scientists hope to identify substances that will block the brain chemicals that generate pain signals, while others are investigating the pathways by which pain signals reach the brain. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=search&term=polyneuropathies[majr]+OR+amyloid+neuropathies[majr]+OR+brachial+plexus+neuropathies+OR+diabetic+neuropathies[majr]+OR+mononeuropathies[majr]+OR+peripheral+neuropath*[title]+AND+human[mh]+AND+english[la]+AND+(review[ptyp]+OR+review+literature[mh]+OR+practice+guideline[ptyp]+OR+guideline[ptyp]+OR+clinical+trials[mh]+OR+clinical+trial[ptyp]+OR+consumerj[sb])&db=PubMed&orig_db=PubMed&filters=on&pmfilter_EDatLimit=2+Years http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/peripheralnervedisorders.html 1 http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term= /disorders/peripheralneuropathy/pubs_peripheralneuropathy.htm /disorders/peripheralneuropathy/xml_peripheralneuropathy.xml xml_peripheralneuropathy.xml V181 American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)

P.O. Box 850

Rocklin CA 95677-0850 ACPA@theacpa.org http://www.theacpa.org 916-632-0922 800-533-3231 916-652-8190 Provides self-help coping skills and peer support to people with chronic pain. Sponsors local support groups throughout the U.S. and provides assistance in starting and maintaining support groups. V280 Neuropathy Association

60 East 42nd Street

Suite 942 New York NY 10165-0999 info@neuropathy.org http://www.neuropathy.org 888-PN-FACTS (888-763-2287) 212-692-0668 The Neuropathy Association is the leading national nonprofit organization providing peripheral neuropathy patient support and education, advocating for patients' interests, and promoting critical research. We have 50,000 members and supporters, and a nationwide network of 135 support groups and 12 Neuropathy Centers of Excellence at prominent medical institutions. V690 National Kidney & Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC)

3 Information Way

Bethesda MD 20892-3580 nkudic@info.niddk.nih.gov http://www.niddk.nih.gov 301-654-4415 800-891-5390 V54 Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association (CMTA)

2700 Chestnut Parkway

Chester PA 19013-4867 info@cmtausa.org http://www.cmtausa.org/ 610-499-9264 800-606-CMTA (2682) 610-499-9267 Provides education and support to persons with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorders, their families, and the health professionals who treat them. V160 Muscular Dystrophy Association

3300 East Sunrise Drive

Tucson AZ 85718-3208 mda@mdausa.org http://www.mda.org 520-529-2000 800-572-1717 520-529-5300 Voluntary health agency that fosters neuromuscular disease research and provides patient care funded almost entirely by individual private contributors. MDA addresses the muscular dystrophies, spinal muscular atrophy, ALS, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, myasthenia gravis, Friedreich's ataxia, metabolic diseases of muscle, and inflammatory diseases of muscle, for a total of more than 40 neuromuscular diseases. V699 American Diabetes Association

1701 North Beauregard Street

Alexandria VA 22311 askada@diabetes.org http://www.diabetes.org 800-DIABETES (342-2383) 703-549-1500 Non-profit health organization providing diabetes research, advocacy services, and information, including information on the complications of diabetes, such as diabetic neuropathy. V688 National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC)

1 Information Way

Bethesda MD 20892-3560 ndic@info.niddk.nih.gov http://www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov 301-654-3327 800-860-8747 V924 Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy

485 Half Day Road

Suite 200 Buffalo Grove IL 60089 info@tffpn.org http://www.foundationforpn.org 877-883-9942 847-883-9960 A 501(c)(3) public foundation whose mission is to dramatically improve the lives of people living with peripheral neuropathy, to be the catalyst for advancing innovative therapeutic developments and accelerating a cure for painful neuropathies by funding collaborative efforts of leading scientists and physicians, and to develop outreach programs to patients, their families and healthcare professionals.