Letters to the editor: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligands as potential targets for managing neuropathic pain induced by diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Abstract

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a medical condition that is progressively becoming more prevalent. The underlying cause of DPN is still unknown, although there have been several hypothesized mechanisms. There are current pharmaceutical treatments used to manage the pain, but their efficacy is largely unsatisfactory and are often associated with serious adverse effects. This review will explore the evidence of a new potential target for treating DPN, the ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), specifically α4ꞵ2 agonists and α9α10 antagonists.

Keywords

• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
• Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligands
• Novel pharmacological treatments