Diabetic Neuropathy

MLA Citation:

Burgess, Jamie, et al. “Early Detection of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Focus on Small Nerve Fibers.” Diagnostics, vol. 11, no. 2, 24 Jan. 2021, p. 165, https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics11020165.

Assessment:

I am researching this topic because I want to understand how the malfunction of the pancreas can affect neurological processes in the nervous system. This is why I chose the article “Early Detection of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Focus on Small Nerve Fibers.” This article talks about how the antibodies and beta cells allow for the early detection of diabetes. However, due to being left undiagnosed or left untreated can allow the blood sugars to go higher. This can lead to hyperglycemia which can be an early detection for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. I am also researching this topic due to seeing people experience and question why their whole body is not in the best state if they only have diabetes and no other problems. 

This article made me think about if hyperglycemia can lead to the destruction of antibodies of the pancreas. How does hyperglycemia affect the neurons and cells of the brain? I question this because though Diabetes occurs due to false attacks on the healthy cells of the pancreas, does it lead to further damage to the antibodies if it is left untreated. Even if the Diabetes is treated, will the antibodies still be destroyed if the person had diabetes for a long time? I wonder this all the time because if one had antibodies still left, would it be enough to help regenerate the working pancreas cells? This would allow for patients to regain and reproduce insulin with a normal working pancreas. It would also allow for a better neurological state not only for the brain, but for all of the nerves in the body. 

What I want to research is how the beta cells and the autoimmune cells accidentally attack only the pancreatic cells and not the other organs. If it was due to the signals on the cells, what made the signals occur for healthy cells?  I would also like to know if people with type 1 diabetes are more prone to hyperglycemia rather than type 2. This would allow me to narrow my research into categories like Type 1, Type2, and/or gestational diabetes. Looking into each of these types would also allow me to look how differently hyperglycemia occurs in each of the types and how each of them can be affected with damaged nerves. I would also like to research the hereditary aspects of Type 1 to see if hyperglycemia can also occur due to mass and body weight that is hereditary. 

To accomplish this research, I will be looking at the different types of beta cells as well as  the signals the pancreatic cells send. I will also be looking at the different types of symptoms of diabetic neuropathy like the sensation of the limbs, sores, and kidney and liver failure as well. I will also look at gestational diabetes and see if there are the same consequences when meeting with hyperglycemia with that type of diabetes. These aspects will allow me to further my research of the cause and effects of hyperglycemia in all age groups and the consequences for all age groups.