Higher Sensory Cortical Energy Metabolism in Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: Evidence From a Cerebral Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study

Abstract

Energy consumption within the primary somatosensory cortex appears to be greater in painful compared with painless diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The measure of energy metabolism, PCr:ATP, within the somatosensory cortex correlated with pain intensity and was lower in those with moderate/severe compared with low pain. To our knowledge. this is the first study to indicate higher cortical energy metabolism in painful compared with painless diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and thus has the potential to act as a biomarker for clinical pain trials.