The Neuropathy Association (""""""""TNA"""""""") is a national not-for-profit organization that provides support and education to patients with peripheral neuropathy and their caregivers, advocates for patients'interests, and supports critical research with the aim of developing effective treatments for patients with various forms of neuropathy and finding cures. Current studies suggest that 20 million (or 1 in 15) Americans are afflicted with neuropathy, making neuropathy one of the leading causes of disability in adults in the U.S. (Feldman et al 2006). Neuropathic pain remains one of the most challenging components of many peripheral nervous system disorders and presents a large unmet need for identifying different pain mechanisms and improved therapies. TNA is launching a neuropathy summit aimed at bringing together the many constituents in the neuropathy community-the patients, physicians, basic science and clinical researchers, other health care organizations, and policy makers-to increase the dialogue on and the understanding of the many challenges-and the unique opportunities-of treating patients who suffer from neuropathy and neuropathic pain, one of the primary issues facing the community at large. This conference will: - Provide a forum for scientists, investigators, clinicians, and all interested in neuropathy from a myriad of disciplines to come together to share scientific knowledge, accelerate translational research and its application in clinical practice to enhance patient care, foster collaborative efforts, and share new ideas. - Increase the dialogue on and the understanding of the many challenges of-and the unique future opportunities for-treating the over 20 million people in the U.S. alone who suffer from peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain. - Explore the overlapping roles neurologists, basic science and clinical researchers, and pain medicine specialists play in advancing our understanding of peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain. - Build the case for an integrative patient-centered approach to neuropathy care and research by providing a unique opportunity for clinicians and researchers to meet and discuss their mutual interests in neuropathy and neuropathic pain management.
Project Narrative Neuropathy is one of the leading causes of disability in adults in the U.S.;current studies suggest that 20 million (or 1 in 15) Americans are afflicted with neuropathy, many of whom experience associated debilitating neuropathic pain, with significant individual morbidity and societal costs. (Feldman et al 2006). Neuropathic pain is one of the most challenging issues for patients and health care practitioners alike who both recognize there is a large unmet need for identifying different pain mechanisms and improving therapies and treatments. This conference will provide a forum to bring neurologists, basic science and clinical researchers, and pain medicine specialists together to discuss their mutual interests in peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain management, including topics such as the pathogenesis of and clinical trials in diabetic neuropathy, biomarkers and new treatments for inflammatory neuropathies, and research in nerve regeneration.
