Thalamic neuronal and bioenergetic function in painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a dual magnetic resonance spectroscopy study
Authors' conclusion
These findings suggest that an impaired thalamic neuronal and altered bioenergetic state, potentially consistent with impaired oxidative phosphorylation, exists in painless DPN, and that preservation of thalamic bioenergetic and neuronal profiles could be an important central mechanism of painful DPN.
Study context
- Population
- People with T2D (painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), painless DPN, no DPN) and healthy volunteers38 with T2D
- Participants
- 49 people
- Exposure
- Painful DPN vs painless DPN
- Painful DPNn = 18
- Painless DPNn = 11reference
- No DPNn = 9
- Healthy volunteersn = 11
- Outcome
- Thalamic volume, neuronal function (NAA:Cho) and bioenergetics (Pi:ATP)
Methodological detailsdual 1H-MRS and 31P-MRS
- Dual 1H-MRS and 31P-MRS
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Thalamic volume did not differ between groups
- NAA:Cho significantly higher in painful DPN than painless DPN
- Pi:ATP significantly lower in painful DPN than painless DPN
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Correlations
- Within painful DPN, pain intensity correlated with thalamic Pi:ATP
- NAA:Cho significantly correlated with Pi:ATP across the whole cohort
Original publication
Thalamic neuronal and bioenergetic function in painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a dual magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Diabetologia. Published 10 September 2026. doi:10.
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