Last updated 13/04/2020 by The pain clinics - Interdisciplinary Health

- Fibromyalgia Can Be Caused By Coupling In The Brain

A new study in the research journal Brain Connectivity has shown exciting results around the possible cause of the chronic pain diagnosis Fibromyalgia. The study was conducted at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm - led by Dr. Pär Flodin. Their research showed that fibromyalgia is in all probability due to changes in how the brain works among those affected. Vondt.net is at the forefront of an everyday life for a better understanding of those affected by chronic pain and fibromyalgia - and we kindly ask you to share this article on social media if you have the opportunity. Thanks. We also recommend the FB group «Rheumatism and Chronic Pain - Norway»For those who want more information and to help support our flag cause.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome that mainly affects women (8: 1 ratio) in middle age. The symptoms can vary greatly, but characteristic signs are chronic fatigue, significant pain and burning pain in muscles, muscle attachments and around joints. The diagnosis is classified as one rheumatic disorder. The cause is still unknown - but can the study published by the Karolinska Institute help shed light on the real cause of the problem?

Functional MRI showing different brain activity depending on stimuli and movement, such as speech, finger movement and listening.

- Reduced brain connection in those affected by fibromyalgia

The researchers compared brain activity among women affected by fibromyalgia with women who had not been diagnosed. They were thrilled at the results when they found that those affected by fibromyalgia had a reduced connection between the brain parts that interpret pain and the sensory signals. The study thus estimated that this reduced link led to a lack of pain control in the brains of those with fibromyalgia - which explains the increased sensitivity of this patient group.

- Functional MRI examination of the brain

In the study, which examined 38 women, brain activity was measured via a so-called functional MRI examination. This means that the researchers were able to measure the sensitivity directly digitally when they applied pain stimuli by being able to see which parts of the brain are lit up (see illustration above). Prior to the examination, the women had to refrain from painkillers and muscle relaxants for up to 72 hours before the examinations were performed. Participants received 15 pain stimuli that lasted for 2,5 seconds each, at 30-second intervals. The results confirmed the hypothesis of the researchers.

- Link between fibromyalgia and defective pain regulation

The results showed that those with fibromyalgia had a significantly higher pain sensitivity - at the same pain stimuli - compared to the control group. When the researchers compared the examinations of brain activity, they also found that there was a clear difference in how the areas lit up on the functional MRI examination.

- An important step towards understanding fibromyalgia

This study provides answers to a number of questions one has had in the past - and is described as a comprehensive piece towards a future complete understanding of the chronic pain syndrome fibromyalgia. The researchers will also study further on this topic, and it will be very exciting to see what they find out.

Conclusion:

Very exciting research! An important study for those with fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndromes who feel that they are not taken seriously by a doctor or healthcare professional. With the help of such studies, fibromyalgia is gradually transformed into something concrete and tangible - from the more undefined and diffuse diagnosis that is often described as in today's society. A victory for those affected by this condition. You can read the entire study here if desired.

Feel free to share in social media

Again, we want to ask nicely to share this article in social media or via your blog (please link directly to the article). Understanding and increased focus are the first steps towards a better everyday life for those affected by fibromyalgia and chronic pain diagnoses.

Fibromyalgia is a diagnosis that is disregarded and many people who are affected experience not being taken seriously. It is often called the "invisible disease", which means that doctors and the general public have reduced their understanding of the condition - and that is precisely why we consider it very important that the general public is aware of this diagnosis. We kindly ask you to like and share this for increased focus and more research on fibromyalgia and other chronic pain diagnoses. Many thanks to everyone who likes and shares - it means an incredible deal to those affected.

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons 2.0, Creative Commons, Freemedicalphotos, Freestockphotos and submitted reader contributions.

References:

Flodin P¹, Martinsen S, Löfgren M, Bileviciute-Ljungar I, Kosek E, Fransson P. Fibromyalgia is associated with decreased connectivity between pain and sensorimotor brain areas. Brain Connect. 2014 Oct; 4 (8): 587-94. doi: 10.1089 / brain.2014.0274. Epub 2014 Aug 7.