Some Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy
Diabetes
A common side effect of diabetes is peripheral neuropathy.
Toxins
Toxins from certain poisons or drugs used to treat a pre-existing condition can cause peripheral neuropathy. The latter is the case for chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy and HIV-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Genetics
The inheritance of certain genes can also cause peripheral neuropathy. Charcot-Marie-Tooth (Type 2A), for instance, is a form of peripheral neuropathy associated with axonal damage and sensory loss.
Autoimmune Disorders
Nerve damage can additionally be caused by autoimmune disorders (diseases in which the individual’s immune system attacks its own tissues). Forms of this neuropathy can be acute, signifying that the neuropathy is temporary, or chronic, meaning the neuropathy lasts from multiple years up to a lifetime. Guillain-Barre Syndrome, for example, is an acute form of peripheral neuropathy while chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIPD) is a chronic one.
Idiopathic Causes
For certain cases of peripheral neuropathy, the cause is unknown. These types of peripheral neuropathies are said to be idiopathic.
*Please keep in mind that this is NOT a complete list; rather, it is a list of some of the more broad, popular causes. For more information about the various causes of peripheral neuropathy, please study the links listed below.
Basic Types of Neuropathy
Motor vs. Sensory Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy can affect either motor nerves that are responsible for movement or sensory nerves that provide sensation (feeling). In some cases, a form of peripheral neuropathy can affect both and is called sensorimotor.
Mononeuropathy vs. Polyneuropathy
When peripheral neuropathy is caused by some physical trauma, it can affect only a single nerve or nerve group. This is called mononeuropathy. More commonly, the neuropathy will affect multiple nerves at once from different parts of the body. This type of neuropathy is called polyneuropathy.
WinSanTor’s Focus
WinSanTor is currently undergoing clinical trials for a lead drug aimed at treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), and HIV-PN (HIV- induced peripheral neuropathy)
- DPN is the primary indication for our treatment
- CIPN and HIV-PN have the potential to be treated as well given the results from recent studies
Our lead drug treats peripheral neuropathy, focusing on sensory polyneuropathy
- Although the treatment mechanism is centered around the regrowth of sensory nerves, there is strong evidence that our treatment will reverse functional loss and improve quality of life symptoms affecting daily life of patients
