Christopher Cashman, MD, PhD

2026 Next Generation Research Grant in Peripheral Neuropathy

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Its Possible Role in Hereditary Peripheral Neuropathy

Institution: Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School

Project Summary: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) refers to a group of conditions that cause damage to the peripheral nerves (or the parts of the nervous system other than the brain and spinal cord). One type of PN that can be genetically inherited is the variant associated with a deficiency of sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD), an enzyme encoded by the SORD gene.

Dr. Cashman will study rodent models with this type of PN and determine the role that mitochondrial dysfunction might play in the disease. If a direct connection is found, targeting damaged mitochondria could prove to be a basis for future PN therapies.

This research is funded by The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy through the American Brain Foundation.