A new study published in the August issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism finds that Fibromyalgia patients have greater connectivity in regions of the brain known to process evoked pain.
Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) on 36 female subjects – 18 fibromyalgia patients and 18 healthy subjects – to obtain their newly published results:
Our results clearly show that individuals with FM have greater connectivity between multiple brain networks and the insular cortex, which is a brain region previously linked with evoked pain processing and hyperexcitability in FM,” said Dr. Napadow. The research team found that patients with FM had greater intrinsic connectivity within the right EAN, and between the DMN and the insular cortex — a brain region linked to evoked pain processing. “In patients with FM, our findings strongly implicate the insular cortex as being a key node in the elevated intrinsic connectivity,” added Dr. Napadow. “Patients demonstrated greater DMN connectivity to the left anterior, middle, and posterior insula.” In the right EAN, FM patients demonstrated greater intra-network connectivity within the right intraparietal sulcus (iPS). Researchers found no differences between the FM and healthy control groups for the left EAN or the MVN.
Essentially what that means to us is that there is a new study demonstrating a diagnostic difference in the brains of people with fibromyalgia and how we process pain.
This study will need to be duplicated and reduplicated before we see any big changes in the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia, but it is good progress. Not only does it add validity to fibromyalgia, but it could lead to a decisive diagnostic test for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. This has been one of the greatest barriers we have faced in the acceptance and treatment of fibromyalgia.
Story Source:
Wiley-Blackwell. “Resting Brain Activity Associated With Spontaneous Fibromyalgia Pain.” ScienceDaily 30 July 2010. 1 August 2010
Thank you for your posts. They are always positive and making an effort to move forward. So often people get stuck in their illness and pain and cease to move forward. I saw this in my mother and I fight it almost everyday of my life. My goal is to continue to move foward, be active, live mindfully and spiritually and be encouraging and helpful to others in spite of my condition, while still caring for myself!!
Bless you and everyone who deals with this chronic condition!!
Debbie, you have some wonderful goals! If you could see me you would know I am applauding while reading your beautiful comment. I appreciate your perspective very much and thank you for taking the time to share it. It is so important for us to encourage each other, and comments like yours are exactly what motivates me to continue writing and sharing. Blessings to you too!
I am at my worst and losing control fast. I am tired of my doctor
just treating the systomtoms and so he does not even know.
I have study fibro for a very long time and all the help is
costing lots of money which I did not have.
I do have insurance from my job which I don’t know how much
they will keep me. I need help from someone good and Fibro.
Tammy I am so sorry you are struggling right now. Your frustration is understandable as we all get there at different times throughout our illness. My first advice for looking for a new doctor is to go to the NFA website and research the doctors they have listed in your area. That is only a small step though.
My best advice to you is to change your expectations of what a doctor can do for you. A good doctor will partner with you and guide you to make the changes necessary to improve, but even the most FM literate doctor cannot make this go away. They treat the symptoms because they want you to find relief as much as you need to find relief. Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet to make us better. It will take a great combination of things.
I did not start healing until I took control of my health out of a doctors hands. Once I understood that they do their best, but their best is limited when it comes to FM, I began to make the changes I needed to to begin healing. I incorporated alternative medicine which is something I highly recommend for you. A naturopath would be a great place to start. Unfortunately most are not covered by insurance, so cost can be an issue. The doctor who helped me the most was a holistic chiro. His treatment was very unconventional in that he rarely adjusted me, but he used laser therapy and also addressed my nutrition and infections – like heavy metals.
Most people I know who improve do so out of the realm of western med. I hope you can find a great doctor who can give you what you need, but truthfully I think you are better off seeking alternative options. I’m sure this is not the answers you were looking for, but I hope it helps you. My best to you!
This is EXACTLY what I was talking about…your perspective regarding doctors made a huge difference to me…even before I met you! Thank you…
You are very kind to say so Kathy! I think you know that more than anything I hope to make a difference. You just made my day!
Thanks for this news. It’s good to be able to pinpoint the precise problems in the brain. I am still optimistic about the possibility of retraining the brain using techniques like Neural Dynamic Retraining and the Amygdala Retraining Technique, but we will only know their effectiveness on the long run.
So glad you have the Add to Any icon at the end of your posts. Makes it easier to share them on Twitter!
I think your optimism is well founded Sandra. Our ability to retrain and rebuild our brains is a pretty hot topic right now.
I was thinking about it today after yoga. Yoga and meditation are two practices that help us to build new pathways in our brain, so it makes perfect sense that they are beneficial in treating and managing FM and other chronic illnesses. I always feel so focused and clear-headed after my practice. The proof is in the pudding.
Hmmm, now I want some pudding!
This article reminded me that when I was once writing a research paper about left-handedness, I came across a study which showed that left-handed people have more communication pathways between the left and right sides of the brain (and in fact have a larger connecting portion–without looking it up, I think it’s the corpus collosum or something similar).
It’s also a matter of record that left-handers are more prone to have autoimmune conditions.
Interesting.
That is interesting Lynne. I had no idea left-handers are more prone to autoimmune conditions. Thanks for sharing that little tid-bit.
Most people with this condition are not at their best in the morning due to pain etc. so why does the hospital in London only see patients in the mornings with this condition???? Im not looking forward to going before mid day but dont have a choice.
Hi,
I read your rely to Tammy and you said,
“My first advice for looking for a new doctor is to go to the NFA website and research the doctors they have listed in your area. ”
I am interested in trying to find a Dr. in my area.What is or does NFA stand for?
Thank you,
Betsy
Betsy NFA is the National Fibromyalgia Association. Here is the link to their Healthcare Provider Directory: http://fmaware.org/site/PageServere7aa.html?pagename=resources_hcProviderDirectory. My Best to You!
I have the triple threat I not only have Fibromyalgia CP CF, I also have had a brain tumor craniotomy as well as an aneurysm clipped and coiled. I am due for my yearly MRI/MRA and will be asking my doctors to check to see if this is shown to be true of my brain. My brain tumor was of the left posterior parietal along the posterior falx measuring 2.2 x2.0 x . 1cm. this was adjacent to the superior sagittal sins it was a benign meningioma. The tumor and aneurysm were found in 2006 the aneurysm was taken care of right away, We took the wait and see approach with the tumor then in 2008 when it appeared the tumor was growing I had the craniotomy to have it removed. I fell like what came first the chicken or the egg, The brain tumor or the fibro?