Serial nerve conduction studies in patients with maturity onset diabetes mellitus

Serial study of peripheral nerve conduction in 18 patients with recently diagnosed maturity onset diabetes mellitus during a period of treatment of hyperglycaemia for 21/2 years showed improvement in motor conduction progressive increase in mixed nerve conduction velocity, but at the same time progressive fall of amplitude of sensory nerve action potentials. It is argued that two independent metabolic processes may underlie peripheral nerve dysfunction in these patients, only one of which is benefically affected by control of hyperglycaemia.