Recent research from the University of Texas at Dallas’ Center for Advanced Pain Studies (CAPS) has revisited a phenomenon identified a century ago but mostly overlooked since—the presence of Nageotte nodules in sensory nerve tissue. Published in Nature Communications (May 5), the study suggests that these cell clusters are significant markers of nerve cell death in the dorsal root ganglia of people with diabetes, and could become important targets for new treatments.
The study’s lead researchers, including Dr. Ted Price and Dr. Stephanie Shiers, explain that neurodegeneration in the dorsal root ganglia is a crucial aspect of diabetic neuropathic pain—a condition affecting roughly one-third of all US diabetics, or about 11 million people. Diabetic neuropathy often causes severe, shooting pain in the limbs and can lead to severe complications such as amputation if not properly managed.
Dr. Shiers discovered a high prevalence of Nageotte nodules specifically in the sensory ganglia of diabetic organ donors; these nodules consist of remnants of dead sensory neurons surrounded by supporting (non-neuronal) cells. While Nageotte nodules were first described in rabbits in 1922, they have rarely been studied and are little-known in modern pain research. The new study is notable for its large sample size (90 people) and for identifying previously undocumented patterns of nerve fibre sprouting within these nodules.
The research suggests that Nageotte nodules may be linked to the spontaneous pain signals seen in diabetic neuropathy. Interestingly, similar nodules were also found in non-diabetic donors with other neuropathic conditions, broadening the potential relevance of the findings.
The study’s authors argue that this discovery could transform the way we understand and treat neuropathic pain, focusing on early neuro-protection to prevent the formation of these nodules. The research was made possible by collaborations with tissue donation organizations, highlighting the importance of organ and tissue donation for medical science.
The work was supported by the National Institutes of Health, and involved a team of researchers from UT Dallas, the Southwest Transplant Alliance, and the University of Adelaide, Australia. The findings offer hope for new therapeutic strategies and a deeper understanding of pain mechanisms in diabetes and other nerve disorders.