In rodent models of diabetes, there are expression deficits in nerve growth factor (NGF) and in mRNA for its high-affinity receptor, trkA, leading to decreased retrograde axonal transport of NGF and decreased support of NGF-dependent sensory neurons, with reduced expression of their neuropeptides, substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Treatment of diabetic rats with intensive insulin normalized these deficits, and treatment with exogenous NGF caused dose-related increases, giving levels of NGF and neuropeptides that were greater than those of controls. Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) mRNA was also deficient in leg muscle from diabetic rats, and administration of recombinant NT-3 to diabetic rats increased the conduction velocity of sensory nerves without affecting motor conduction velocity. In regenerating nerves after experimental crush injury, expression of NGF in the nerve trunk is increased in diabetes to a greater extent than in controls, but this is offset by a greater reduction in the neuronal expression of trkA in dorsal root ganglia of diabetic rats. Nonetheless, targeted administration of exogenous NGF via impregnated conduits stimulated regeneration in both control and diabetic rats. These findings implicate deficient neurotrophic support in diabetic neuropathy and suggest that its correction should be a paramount therapeutic target.