Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The PNS helps transmit sensory information to the brain and spinal cord. The brain, in turn, will send communication to the PNS to perform specific motor functions. Damage to any part of the central nervous system can result in a variety of symptoms, which can include tingling, stinging, numbness, muscle wasting, and even paralysis. Peripheral neuropathies are known to have around 100 different types and are classified based on the nerves they affect: sensory, motor or autonomic. There are several causes of nerve damage and some of these include physical trauma, autoimmune diseases, tumors, toxins and metabolic disorders. Of these, physical injuries are the most common and can occur as a result of accidents or falls. Nerve damage can have several outcomes, including complete detachment, crushing, stretching, and even complete detachment of the spinal cord. Once a nerve injury has occurred, there are several ways to diagnose the extent of the damage. These may include a CT scan, MRI, nerve conduction velocity (NCV), nerve biopsy, and skin biopsy. Treatments continue to grow as new research becomes available, but there is optimism when it comes to stem cells and nerve regeneration. There are several methods used in nerve regeneration, but the journal article “Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells Stimulate Peripheral Nerve Regeneration”: BDNF secreted by these cells promotes nerve healing and De Novo axon growth” focuses on stem cells. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have shown beneficial effects on peripheral nerve repair. Although it would seem logical to harvest Schwann cells for this purpose, the process is very traumatic and ASCs are very... middle of paper... promote nerve healing and de novo axon growth. PlosOne, 6(3). Retrieved November 20, 2011, from http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0017899Miller, B. (n.d.). Nerve injuries in military personnel website focus. Washington University in St. Louis. Retrieved November 20, 2011, from news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/12076.aspx Peripheral Neuropathy Fact Sheet: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). (n.d.). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Retrieved November 20, 2011, from http://ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm#183583208Sulaiman, W. A., & Kline, D. G. (2006). Nerve surgery: a review and insights into its future. Clinical Neurosurgery, 53, 38-47. Retrieved November 20, 2011, from www.cns.org/publications/clinical/53/pdf/cnb00106000038.pdf