These could prove to be a target for drugs that would protect these nerves or help manage diabetic neuropathy. “Diabetic neuropathy can be debilitating,” said neuroscience research scientist Stephanie Shiers PhD’19, a co-corresponding author. “These nodules were more prevalent in people with diabetes and even more so in those with diabetic neuropathy. Using histology and spatial sequencing, they demonstrated that Nageotte nodules are abundant in sensory ganglia of those with diabetic neuropathy. “Spontaneous activity in these fibers may be what’s behind diabetic neuropathy,” Shiers said.