Ganglioside therapy in diabetic neuropathy

Cronassial, a combination of four different cerebral gangliosides, was administered intramuscularly (40 mg daily) in a double-blind controlled study of 28 patients with moderate to severe diabetic neuropathy. Clinical neurologic and near-nerve electrophysiologic studies were performed. The 14 patients receiving gangliosides experienced statistically significant improvement in their clinical scores due to an increase in lower extremity sensory perception. No other clinical or electrophysiologic changes were present. No side effects were noted. Further studies employing greater numbers of patients and higher doses are required to confirm the efficacy of gangliosides in diabetic neuropathy.