This topic is being issued as part of the Make America Healthy Again initiative. This is not a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO).

This topic encourages research focused on three identified gap areas:

• Biomarkers: Existing large-scale datasets may contain unrecognized signatures associated with acquired neuropathy (AN) development and progression, offering opportunities to identify and validate novel biomarkers for early detection, prognosis, and responses to treatments.
• Clinical Outcome Measures: The field of AN assessment faces challenges in developing sensitive, practical tools for early detection and progression monitoring – particularly for autonomic neuropathy – necessitating research to develop new or improve existing measures that are fit-for-purpose.
• Regenerative and Neuroprotective Therapeutics: Advances in understanding disease mechanisms suggest possible interventions that may halt or reverse AN. There is a need to translate these findings into new therapeutic approaches, platforms and models for preclinical testing and clinical trial strategies. 

The NIDDK is interested in research that investigates the pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy (DN) in peripheral as well as autonomic nerves, as well as the sources of heterogeneity in the presentation and progression of DN among people with diabetes. Collaborations between basic neuroscientists and clinicians with expertise in DN is encouraged. The NIDDK may give special consideration to support meritorious applications in this topic area.

Expires April 6, 2028.