The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy (FPN) started the Peripheral Neuropathy Research Registry (PNRR) in 2008. The PNRR collects data and samples (like blood and DNA) from people living with peripheral neuropathy (PN), a condition that affects the nerves and can cause pain and other issues.
Why the PNRR Matters
Peripheral neuropathy (PN) has many types and causes, but there isn’t much detailed information about it yet. The PNRR is the first national registry to gather data on different types of PN, including cases from diabetes, chemotherapy, HIV/AIDS, and cases with unknown causes. By collecting this information, scientists hope to better understand what causes PN, how it affects people, and find ways to diagnose, treat, and maybe even prevent it.
Research Findings
Since 2017, eight studies from the registry have been published. These studies have looked into how genetics, exercise, and vitamins impact PN. This research is helping scientists test new ideas and even change old ones about PN.
New Findings: Vitamin D Levels and Neuropathy Severity
In November 2024, researchers published a study using data from the PNRR to see if low vitamin D levels are linked to worse symptoms in people with idiopathic PN (a type with no known cause). Scientists looked at 230 patients and found that only 7% had very low vitamin D. After analyzing, they saw no connection between vitamin D levels and how bad the nerve damage or pain was. This shows that vitamin D levels don’t seem to affect PN severity in these cases.
Read More about Vitamin D and Neuropathy
To see the full study, visit this journal: J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2024: Read the study.