HDAC INHIBITORS FOR THE TREATMENT OF DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY

1 . A method for treating or preventing diabetic peripheral neuropathy in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an HDAC6 inhibitor.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the HDAC6 inhibitor is an HDAC6-specific inhibitor.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the HDAC6 inhibitor is a compound of Formula Ia:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

wherein,

R x is selected from H and C 1-6 -alkyl;

R y is selected from H and C 1-6 -alkyl;

or R x and R y together with the carbon to which each is attached, form a cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, or cyclooctyl;

each R A is independently C 1-6 -alkyl, C 1-6 -alkoxy, halo, OH, or haloalkyl; and

m is 0, 1, or 2.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the compound of Formula Ia is selected from the group consisting of:

or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the HDAC6 inhibitor is a compound of Formula II:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

wherein ring B is aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted by OH, halo, or C 1-6 -alkyl;

R 1 is aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted by OH, halo, or C 1-6 -alkyl; and

R is H or C 1-6 -alkyl.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the compound of Formula II is:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the compound of Formula II is:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

8 . A compound which is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.