Neuropathy News Feb. 2026
Critical funding restored for medical research
After a huge cut in 2025, research funding for the Department of Defense’s Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program is finally back to its earlier level: $370 million.
This is great news for people living with peripheral neuropathy. Each year, we work hard to make sure PN is one of the topics that can receive this funding. The more money in the program, the more chances researchers have to discover new treatments, and someday, cures.
Meet Will Schwalbe
Author Will Schwalbe shares an update on living with small fiber neuropathy, the power of friendship, and lessons learned along the way. In this conversation, he reflects on adaptation, support and hope for those navigating life with neuropathy.
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FPN webinar: Behind the lab coat: How medical research really works (March 17)
We’re taking you inside the world of medical research. Learn how medical research is done, and the different phases involved. We’ll explain why it can take many years to create new treatments or tests. You’ll learn about pre-clinical and clinical research, clinical trials, how people are kept safe in research studies and why patient voices are important.
Our speaker, Dr. Kristy Townsend, Vice President of FPN’s Board of Directors and Associate Professor at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, studies neuropathy across all stages of research. She’ll discuss what a typical day looks like in her lab and the clinical trial she is currently running.
Advocating for PN: A conversation with Mark, our advocacy consultant
Learn how we’re working to bring more awareness and funding to neuropathy research. In this interview, FPN’s advocacy expert Mark Vieth shares big wins, like new federal support for research, and explains why Advocacy Day matters.
Thank you to Vertex for sponsoring this content.
| Regain your balance: Exercises for the brain and body |
| During our October 2025 webinar, Regain your balance: Therapy and exercise for neuropathy patients, Dr. Manoni from the NeuroBalance Center shared simple exercises for neuropathy. She created a handout for our network highlighting some exercises for the brain and body to help improve balance. View the handout. |
New IMAGiNe site: Brigham and Women’s Hospital
We’re excited to share that the Brigham and Women’s Hospital has joined the IMAGiNe Study as a new research site. With help from FPN’s grant money, they will take part in this international study about IgM anti-MAG peripheral neuropathy, a rare autoimmune form of PN.
