# Risk Factors and Outcomes Associated with Late-Life Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

> **NIH NIH K23** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $183,176

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Caitlin Hicks MD, MS is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine. She seeks a K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award to
obtain essential skills and mentored research experience for an independent career as a physician scientist in
the field of diabetes and lower extremity disease. Her research proposal details a five-year plan aimed
characterizing the epidemiology and risk factors for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in a large cohort of black
and white older adults with type 2 diabetes. The specific aims of the research agenda are to: 1) Rigorously
evaluate risk factors associated with late-life diabetic peripheral neuropathy; 2) Quantify the prospective
associations of diabetic peripheral neuropathy with risk of incident cardiovascular events, cognitive impairment,
and death during 7-8 years of follow-up in older adults; and 3) Identify novel plasma protein biomarkers
associated with late-life diabetic peripheral neuropathy using high-throughput proteomic technology. This study
will comprehensively evaluate the link between diabetic peripheral neuropathy and mortality, cardiovascular
events, cognitive decline, and dementia in a community-based setting, and identify novel biomarkers
associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy that may inform pathophysiology and serve as potential targets
for interventions in future studies. As part of her mentored career development, Dr. Hicks will receive in-depth
training in advanced epidemiologic methods and proteomics research under the mentorship of Dr. Elizabeth
Selvin, PhD, MPH. Dr. Hicks’ immediate career goals include developing expertise in cohort studies,
biostatistical analysis, and advanced epidemiologic methods, gaining experience in the design and analysis of
biomarker and proteomics research, and building local, national, and international collaborations with clinical
researchers in similar and complementary areas of research/expertise. Long-term, Dr. Hicks aims to improve
our understanding of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in older adults,
and develop an independent research program in this area.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10133645
- **Project number:** 5K23DK124515-02
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Caitlin Whitney Hicks
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $183,176
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-04-01 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10133645

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10133645, Risk Factors and Outcomes Associated with Late-Life Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (5K23DK124515-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10133645. Licensed CC0.

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