What is on the horizon for Fibromyalgia

[Guest guest]

looks promising

Heidi

Fibromyalgia - What is on the horizon?

Researchers are working to determine exactly how individuals with

fibromyalgia (FM) perceive pain. One of the problems believed to be

associated with FM is a difference in the way FM patients interpret

and process pain signals. This difference may lead to increased pain

sensitivity. Understanding this difference will help researchers

create new medicines and ways to treat FM.

The relationship between FM and family history is also being studied.

Research is being performed to determine if a gene or genes

predispose a person to FM. Researchers are also investigating whether

FM is more common in patients with other existing conditions or

characteristics. This will help us to understand FM better and point

to other risk factors for FM.

Fibromyalgia patients often have erratic and irregular sleep

patterns. A current trial is researching the efficacy of EEG

biofeedback (brain electricity) on the reduction of FM symptoms.

Research is also being done on kainic acid (this acid is similar to

an amino acid agonist). A single injection of this to the vagus nerve

(one of the nerves in the brain that supplies nerve fibers to the

organs of the chest and the abdomen) was found to enhance long-term

pain sensitivity. The researchers can't say how closely the syndrome

they have created in the lab rats mimics FM, but comparing what is

happening in their model to what is happening in FM should give them

important information about both. The eventual goal is to use the

model not only to better understand chronic pain in patients with FM,

but also to develop new treatments for FM.

Growth hormone therapy, though very expensive for most patients, was

shown in one study to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life

without significant side effects. As persons with FM may not make

enough growth hormone when they exercise, pyridostigmine (Mestinon)

is currently being studied to determine if the medication can

stimulate production of growth hormone. It is thought that increasing

growth hormone to a normal level may improve the symptoms of FM.

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