Treatment of painful diabetic polyneuropathy with mixed gangliosides

We studied 18 patients with painful diabetic neuropathy in a double-blind study of 40 mg per day of mixed gangliosides. Diabetes control was maintained throughout by analysis of serum glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Median motor and sensory, and peroneal motor conductions we evaluated in placebo and treated groups before and after a treatment period of three months. All conductions were performed by one technician on a TECA-4 EMG machine with surface temperature controlled at 37 degrees C. There was a definite improvement in nerve conductions in the treated group, particularly noted in the median sensory conductions. We have demonstrated a difference between right and left-sided conductions in the same patients confirming that this illness, at least from an electrophysiological point of view is asymmetric. Clinical improvement was variable but when present was dramatic. Side effects of this drug were minimal. Half of the patient complained of a transient increase in pain during the first two weeks of treatment. No patient stopped the drug because of this complaint. We conclude that in this three-month study mixed gangliosides caused a significant improvement in some nerve conductions without significant side effects. Further studies seem warranted to determine the nature and extent of this effect.