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Fibromyalgia Pain Linked To Central Nervous System
DysfunctionFeb. 18, 2009 — Widespread body pain in fibromyalgia patients is
associated with specific brain metabolite abnormalities, according to research
in The Journal of Pain
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Scientists at Louisiana State University examined 16
fibromyalgia patients to assess the role in fibromyalgia pain played by
metabolite abnormalities in the hippocampal region of the brain. The
hippocampus is sensitive to the effects of stress exposure and can be affected
in a variety of disorders, like fibromyalgia, which are associated with
stressful experiences. Fibromyalgia is considered a stress-related disorder
because of the frequent onset and exacerbation of pain symptoms. Brain imaging
studies have shown there are central nervous system disturbances that occur in
response to pain stimulation.
The researchers sought to explore the role of the
hippocampus region in fibromyalgia pain, especially in pain perception,
cognition and modulation of the central stress response.
From the analysis of subjects' brain scans, they found that
exposure to chronic stress produces an increase hippocampal excitability that
may play a role in the exaggerated sense of pain or hyperalgesia commonly
experienced by fibromyalgia patients. Therefore, brain metabolite abnormalities
in premenopausal fibromyalgia patients can disrupt the hippocampus region and
inhibit brain activity required for modulating stress responses.
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