Effect of folic acid supplementation on nerve conduction velocity in diabetic polyneuropathy patients
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 29, 2026

An Ultrasonic Tool for Nerve Conduction Block in Diabetic Rat Models
Published on: October 20, 2017
Tayebeh Mottaghi1,2, Fariborz Khorvash3, Mohammadreza Maracy4
1a Food Security Research Center , Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Isfahan , Iran.
Objectives:
In diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) patients, the effect of folic acid and homocysteine has been related to components of nerve conduction velocity (NCV). The objective of this study was to determine the effect of folic acid supplementation on NCV in DPN patients.
Methods:
Patients were randomized to receive either 1 mg of folic acid (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40) for 16 weeks. Blood samples were collected to assess serum folic acid and homocysteine concentrations, and NCV was performed for assessment of diabetic neuropathy.
Results:
At 16 weeks, in the supplemented group, serum levels of folic acid (p < 0.001) increased, homocysteine concentrations decreased (p < 0.001), with no change in serum vitamin B12 levels. There was a significant increase in sensory sural amplitude (p < 0.001), and components of motor nerves, including amplitude (p = 0.001) and velocity (p < 0.001), but decreased onset latency of peroneal (p = 0.019) and tibial (p = 0.011) motor nerves.
Conclusion:
Our data suggest that supplementation with 1 mg of folic acid for 16 weeks may be useful for enhancing NCV in DPN patients.
Related Concept Videos
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
Conduction System of the Heart
The pacemaker cells are located in two primary nodes: the sinoatrial (SA) node and the atrioventricular (AV) node. The SA node pacemaker cells can autonomously depolarize, triggering an action potential that leads to the...
Conduct Disorder
Average Velocity
Instantaneous Velocity - II
Escape Velocity
To calculate the escape velocity, it is assumed that no energy is lost to any frictional forces. In practice, a satellite...

