Neuropathy Research Brief · August 21, 2026
A small, industry-developed phase 2 trial of topical pirenzepine in people with type 2 diabetes found a change in skin nerve-fiber density after 24 weeks at the higher dose. Other neurological outcomes did not show a consistent benefit. A biopsy finding is encouraging; it cannot tell us by itself whether a person walks more safely or feels their feet again.
What this means for patients
A separate pilot trial of light therapy did not find a clear difference between groups over time. Relief in one group alone is not enough to determine whether treatment caused the improvement. For patients with numb feet, it is useful to track pain, protective feeling, and balance separately.
A question to bring to your next visit
Which changes in sensation or function are we actually measuring?