Transdermal electrophysiological recordings of diet-induced small fiber peripheral neuropathy using a needle electrode array in mice and man.

Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of diabetes. Proactive treatment options remain limited, which is exacerbated by a lack of sensitive and convenient diagnostics, especially early in disease progression or specifically to assess small fiber neuropathy (SFN), the loss of distal small diameter axons that innervate tissues and organs.

Methods: We designed, fabricated, tested, and validated a first-of-its-kind medical diagnostic device for the functional assessment of transdermal small fiber nerve activity.