Welcome to HOW TO IMPROVE ASSESSMENT OF NERVE FIBER DAMAGE IN DIABETES? - AN INTERDISCIPLINARY, HANDS-ON, COLLABORATIVE WORKSHOP
Description:
The most common complication of diabetes is diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), affecting up to half of the patients. The hallmark is a progressive loss of peripheral nerve axons, resulting in decreased sensation, pain, and ultimately, complete loss of sensation. There are currently no obvious disease modifying treatments available for diabetic neuropathy other than glycemic control and symptomatic treatment of pain. Indeed, pain is a major problem in DPN, but current treatment is often insufficient, and consequently less than two-thirds of the patients are adequately treated. While the phenotypes of DPN are well-described, many questions remain unanswered in terms of mechanisms and pathophysiology. However, DPN has up to this point been a neglected problem. Recently, both diabetologists and the research community have seen and recognized the urgent need to address this worldwide problem. Therefore, there has been increased focus on the fundamental aspects related to diabetic neuropathy.
There exist multiple ways to assess the function and pathology of the nerve fibers that are affected in DPN and give rise to the aforementioned symptoms. The most commonly used tests include nerve conduction studies to test the function of the large nerve fibers, skin biopsy to assess structural damage of the small nerve fibers and quantitative sensory testing to test the function of the large and small nerve fibers. Additionally, there are other functional and structural tests available that are used for research purposes (e.g. corneal confocal microscopy, evoked potentials and thermal grill). These tests may have several important functions: i) have important diagnostic purposes, ii) provide information about which treatment approaches are relevant, iii) hold the potential to explain why some diabetic patients develop DPN, and iv) may enable us to identify new treatment targets. Especially the last two functions need more research if we wish to unleash their full potential and to better understand the mechanisms behind DPN and provide mechanism-based treatment options for the patients.
This joint workshop will address the state-of-art knowledge about small nerve fiber assessment and how they can contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms and pathophysiology of DPN. In addition to that, shared knowledge should and will help determine the direction of future research.
Learning goals: To present and demonstrate various ways to assess nerve fiber structure and function in patients with diabetes, beginning with a short presentation and followed by hands-on demonstration
To discuss strengths and weaknesses of each method, and to propose methods to be used in upcoming and future research projects
Program: Please click here to see the program
Registration: Please register here
Organisers: Associate Professor Carsten Dahl Mørch, cdahl@hst.aau.dk, Associate Professor Páll Karlsson, Danish Pain Research Center and Core Center for Molecular Morphology Aarhus University Hospital
Lecturers: Several invited experts in the field of diabetic neuropathy
ECTS: 1.0
Dates: 28 February 2020
Place: Aalborg University, Niels Jernes Vej 14, room 4-111
Deadline: 12 February 2020
Number of seats: 30
The workshop is sponsored by the Danish Diabetes Academy and CNAP.
Important information concerning PhD courses: We have over some time experienced problems with no-show for both project and general courses. It has now reached a point where we are forced to take action. Therefore, the Doctoral School has decided to introduce a no-show fee of DKK 3,000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before start. This can hopefully also provide new students a chance to register for courses during the year. We look forward to your registrations.
- Teacher: Carsten Dahl Mørch