Authors
  Kennedy WR.  Wendelschafer-Crabb G.  Johnson T.
Title
  Quantitation of epidermal nerves in diabetic neuropathy.
Source
  Neurology.  47(4):1042-8, 1996 Oct.
Abstract
  We describe methods to quantify epidermal nerve fibers (ENFs) in skin
  biopsy specimens from diabetic candidates for pancreas transplantation and
  control subjects. ENFs and the dermal-epidermal basement membrane were
  stained by immunohistochemical methods, imaged with a confocal microscope,
  and quantified using a neuron tracing system. The number of ENFs per
  surface of epidermis was diminished in diabetic subjects. ENF number and
  summed length of all ENFs per volume of epidermis examined were also
  decreased. Length and number of branch points of single surviving ENFs
  were similar in skin of control and diabetic subjects. The methods and
  results constitute a basis for continued study of the effects of the
  euglycemia that attends successful pancreas transplantation and the
  effects of therapy in patients with various types of polyneuropathy.