RESEARCH - More neural changes reported in fibromyalgia

[Guest guest]

More neural changes reported in fibromyalgia

Rheumawire

Nov 5, 2004

Janis

San , TX - Researchers have identified several abnormalities in

brain and neural function in patients with fibromyalgia (FM), 1 of which

appears to have a genetic basis. The data were presented at the American

College of Rheumatology 2004 meeting.

Several studies identified alterations in brain function in patients

with FM:

Dr Roland Staud (University of Florida, Gainesville) reported

additional evidence for central sensitization in FM. " Windup " (temporal

summation of secondary pain) is maintained with lower levels of ongoing

pain stimulation and produces greater and more prolonged pain sensations

in FM patients than in healthy controls [1].

Dr Bazzichi (S Chiari Hospital, Pisa, Italy) found that FM

patients have less functional platelet serotonin (5-HT) transporter,

suggesting that this important factor might also be reduced in the brain

of FM patients. Bazzichi notes that similar impairment of 5-HT

transporter has been observed in psychiatric patients [2].

Dr Jiunn Horng Chen (China Medical University Hospital, Taichung,

Taiwan) found that male and female FM patients had similar areas of low

cerebral blood flow in the thalamus and the temporoparietal areas but

that males with FM also have reduced blood flow in subcortical regions

[3].

Among the more intriguing early studies was work by Dr

ez-Lavin (National Institute of Cardiology, Mexico City, Mexico)

suggesting that FM patients' " relentless sympathetic hyperactivity "

might be associated with a mutation affecting catecholamine metabolism.

The enzyme catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) mediates most

catecholamine catabolism, and ez-Lavin reported that a specific

COMT genotype appears to be more common in FM patients than in healthy

controls [4].

The polymorphism involves a switch from val to met in codon 158 of the

COMT gene. The val/val genotype encodes a very efficient

catecholamine-clearing version of COMT and is found in about 25% of the

general population. The val/met genotype makes a somewhat less efficient

enzyme, and the met/met gene product is less effective still.

DNA analysis of 8 FM patients and 12 healthy controls showed that 7 of 8

patients had one of the less effective COMT genotypes, vs only about

half of the control subjects. Half of the FM patients had the met/met

genotype, vs only one sixth of controls.

" Patients tend to segregate from the COMT val/val genotype, in contrast

to what occurs in control subjects. If this tendency is sustained, it

may provide a genomic basis for fibromyalgia's dysautonomic nature, "

ez-Lavin concluded.

Sources

Staud R, ME, Price DD, et al. New evidence

for central sensitization of fibromyalgia patients: windup maintenance

is abnormal. American College of Rheumatology meeting; San , TX;

Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 551.

Bazzichi L, Rossi A, Betti L, et al. Impaired

serotonin transporter in fibromyalgia patients and correlation with

clinical assessment and laboratory tests. American College of

Rheumatology meeting; San , TX; Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 1246.

Chen JH, Chang YM, Wang JY, et al. Abnormal regional

cerebral blood flow in male fibromyalgia patients. American College of

Rheumatology; San , TX; Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 1270.

ez-Lavin M, Ramos-Kuri M, F, et al.

Exploring a genomic basis for fibromyalgia's dysautonomic nature:

catechol-O-methyl transferase val-158-met polymorphism. American College

of Rheumatology meeting; San , TX; Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 548.

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[Guest guest]

,

It is great that they have found more evidence that fibromyalgia isn¹t in

our heads. Well actually I guess they really did find out it¹s in our heads

LOL! Maybe some of these doctors that are disbelievers that FM exists will

have different opinions.

a

> More neural changes reported in fibromyalgia

>

>

> Rheumawire

> Nov 5, 2004

> Janis

>

> San , TX - Researchers have identified several abnormalities in

> brain and neural function in patients with fibromyalgia (FM), 1 of which

> appears to have a genetic basis. The data were presented at the American

> College of Rheumatology 2004 meeting.

>

> Several studies identified alterations in brain function in patients

> with FM:

>

>

> Dr Roland Staud (University of Florida, Gainesville) reported

> additional evidence for central sensitization in FM. " Windup " (temporal

> summation of secondary pain) is maintained with lower levels of ongoing

> pain stimulation and produces greater and more prolonged pain sensations

> in FM patients than in healthy controls [1].

>

> Dr Bazzichi (S Chiari Hospital, Pisa, Italy) found that FM

> patients have less functional platelet serotonin (5-HT) transporter,

> suggesting that this important factor might also be reduced in the brain

> of FM patients. Bazzichi notes that similar impairment of 5-HT

> transporter has been observed in psychiatric patients [2].

>

> Dr Jiunn Horng Chen (China Medical University Hospital, Taichung,

> Taiwan) found that male and female FM patients had similar areas of low

> cerebral blood flow in the thalamus and the temporoparietal areas but

> that males with FM also have reduced blood flow in subcortical regions

> [3].

>

>

> Among the more intriguing early studies was work by Dr

> ez-Lavin (National Institute of Cardiology, Mexico City, Mexico)

> suggesting that FM patients' " relentless sympathetic hyperactivity "

> might be associated with a mutation affecting catecholamine metabolism.

> The enzyme catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) mediates most

> catecholamine catabolism, and ez-Lavin reported that a specific

> COMT genotype appears to be more common in FM patients than in healthy

> controls [4].

>

> The polymorphism involves a switch from val to met in codon 158 of the

> COMT gene. The val/val genotype encodes a very efficient

> catecholamine-clearing version of COMT and is found in about 25% of the

> general population. The val/met genotype makes a somewhat less efficient

> enzyme, and the met/met gene product is less effective still.

>

> DNA analysis of 8 FM patients and 12 healthy controls showed that 7 of 8

> patients had one of the less effective COMT genotypes, vs only about

> half of the control subjects. Half of the FM patients had the met/met

> genotype, vs only one sixth of controls.

>

> " Patients tend to segregate from the COMT val/val genotype, in contrast

> to what occurs in control subjects. If this tendency is sustained, it

> may provide a genomic basis for fibromyalgia's dysautonomic nature, "

> ez-Lavin concluded.

>

> Sources

>

> Staud R, ME, Price DD, et al. New evidence

> for central sensitization of fibromyalgia patients: windup maintenance

> is abnormal. American College of Rheumatology meeting; San , TX;

> Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 551.

>

> Bazzichi L, Rossi A, Betti L, et al. Impaired

> serotonin transporter in fibromyalgia patients and correlation with

> clinical assessment and laboratory tests. American College of

> Rheumatology meeting; San , TX; Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 1246.

>

> Chen JH, Chang YM, Wang JY, et al. Abnormal regional

> cerebral blood flow in male fibromyalgia patients. American College of

> Rheumatology; San , TX; Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 1270.

>

> ez-Lavin M, Ramos-Kuri M, F, et al.

> Exploring a genomic basis for fibromyalgia's dysautonomic nature:

> catechol-O-methyl transferase val-158-met polymorphism. American College

> of Rheumatology meeting; San , TX; Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 548.

>

>

>

>

>

> I'll tell you where to go!

>

> Mayo Clinic in Rochester

> http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

>

> s Hopkins Medicine

> http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

It is great that they have found more evidence that fibromyalgia isn¹t in

our heads. Well actually I guess they really did find out it¹s in our heads

LOL! Maybe some of these doctors that are disbelievers that FM exists will

have different opinions.

a

> More neural changes reported in fibromyalgia

>

>

> Rheumawire

> Nov 5, 2004

> Janis

>

> San , TX - Researchers have identified several abnormalities in

> brain and neural function in patients with fibromyalgia (FM), 1 of which

> appears to have a genetic basis. The data were presented at the American

> College of Rheumatology 2004 meeting.

>

> Several studies identified alterations in brain function in patients

> with FM:

>

>

> Dr Roland Staud (University of Florida, Gainesville) reported

> additional evidence for central sensitization in FM. " Windup " (temporal

> summation of secondary pain) is maintained with lower levels of ongoing

> pain stimulation and produces greater and more prolonged pain sensations

> in FM patients than in healthy controls [1].

>

> Dr Bazzichi (S Chiari Hospital, Pisa, Italy) found that FM

> patients have less functional platelet serotonin (5-HT) transporter,

> suggesting that this important factor might also be reduced in the brain

> of FM patients. Bazzichi notes that similar impairment of 5-HT

> transporter has been observed in psychiatric patients [2].

>

> Dr Jiunn Horng Chen (China Medical University Hospital, Taichung,

> Taiwan) found that male and female FM patients had similar areas of low

> cerebral blood flow in the thalamus and the temporoparietal areas but

> that males with FM also have reduced blood flow in subcortical regions

> [3].

>

>

> Among the more intriguing early studies was work by Dr

> ez-Lavin (National Institute of Cardiology, Mexico City, Mexico)

> suggesting that FM patients' " relentless sympathetic hyperactivity "

> might be associated with a mutation affecting catecholamine metabolism.

> The enzyme catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) mediates most

> catecholamine catabolism, and ez-Lavin reported that a specific

> COMT genotype appears to be more common in FM patients than in healthy

> controls [4].

>

> The polymorphism involves a switch from val to met in codon 158 of the

> COMT gene. The val/val genotype encodes a very efficient

> catecholamine-clearing version of COMT and is found in about 25% of the

> general population. The val/met genotype makes a somewhat less efficient

> enzyme, and the met/met gene product is less effective still.

>

> DNA analysis of 8 FM patients and 12 healthy controls showed that 7 of 8

> patients had one of the less effective COMT genotypes, vs only about

> half of the control subjects. Half of the FM patients had the met/met

> genotype, vs only one sixth of controls.

>

> " Patients tend to segregate from the COMT val/val genotype, in contrast

> to what occurs in control subjects. If this tendency is sustained, it

> may provide a genomic basis for fibromyalgia's dysautonomic nature, "

> ez-Lavin concluded.

>

> Sources

>

> Staud R, ME, Price DD, et al. New evidence

> for central sensitization of fibromyalgia patients: windup maintenance

> is abnormal. American College of Rheumatology meeting; San , TX;

> Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 551.

>

> Bazzichi L, Rossi A, Betti L, et al. Impaired

> serotonin transporter in fibromyalgia patients and correlation with

> clinical assessment and laboratory tests. American College of

> Rheumatology meeting; San , TX; Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 1246.

>

> Chen JH, Chang YM, Wang JY, et al. Abnormal regional

> cerebral blood flow in male fibromyalgia patients. American College of

> Rheumatology; San , TX; Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 1270.

>

> ez-Lavin M, Ramos-Kuri M, F, et al.

> Exploring a genomic basis for fibromyalgia's dysautonomic nature:

> catechol-O-methyl transferase val-158-met polymorphism. American College

> of Rheumatology meeting; San , TX; Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 548.

>

>

>

>

>

> I'll tell you where to go!

>

> Mayo Clinic in Rochester

> http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

>

> s Hopkins Medicine

> http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

hi paula im am new .but i was dx 7yrs ago with fibromyalgia for yrs drs said it

was in my head .well glad to find out it was really in my head.my new dr does

not really understand fm or the pain that goes with it a54

<a54@...> wrote:,

It is great that they have found more evidence that fibromyalgia isn¹t in

our heads. Well actually I guess they really did find out it¹s in our heads

LOL! Maybe some of these doctors that are disbelievers that FM exists will

have different opinions.

a

> More neural changes reported in fibromyalgia

>

>

> Rheumawire

> Nov 5, 2004

> Janis

>

> San , TX - Researchers have identified several abnormalities in

> brain and neural function in patients with fibromyalgia (FM), 1 of which

> appears to have a genetic basis. The data were presented at the American

> College of Rheumatology 2004 meeting.

>

> Several studies identified alterations in brain function in patients

> with FM:

>

>

> Dr Roland Staud (University of Florida, Gainesville) reported

> additional evidence for central sensitization in FM. " Windup " (temporal

> summation of secondary pain) is maintained with lower levels of ongoing

> pain stimulation and produces greater and more prolonged pain sensations

> in FM patients than in healthy controls [1].

>

> Dr Bazzichi (S Chiari Hospital, Pisa, Italy) found that FM

> patients have less functional platelet serotonin (5-HT) transporter,

> suggesting that this important factor might also be reduced in the brain

> of FM patients. Bazzichi notes that similar impairment of 5-HT

> transporter has been observed in psychiatric patients [2].

>

> Dr Jiunn Horng Chen (China Medical University Hospital, Taichung,

> Taiwan) found that male and female FM patients had similar areas of low

> cerebral blood flow in the thalamus and the temporoparietal areas but

> that males with FM also have reduced blood flow in subcortical regions

> [3].

>

>

> Among the more intriguing early studies was work by Dr

> ez-Lavin (National Institute of Cardiology, Mexico City, Mexico)

> suggesting that FM patients' " relentless sympathetic hyperactivity "

> might be associated with a mutation affecting catecholamine metabolism.

> The enzyme catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) mediates most

> catecholamine catabolism, and ez-Lavin reported that a specific

> COMT genotype appears to be more common in FM patients than in healthy

> controls [4].

>

> The polymorphism involves a switch from val to met in codon 158 of the

> COMT gene. The val/val genotype encodes a very efficient

> catecholamine-clearing version of COMT and is found in about 25% of the

> general population. The val/met genotype makes a somewhat less efficient

> enzyme, and the met/met gene product is less effective still.

>

> DNA analysis of 8 FM patients and 12 healthy controls showed that 7 of 8

> patients had one of the less effective COMT genotypes, vs only about

> half of the control subjects. Half of the FM patients had the met/met

> genotype, vs only one sixth of controls.

>

> " Patients tend to segregate from the COMT val/val genotype, in contrast

> to what occurs in control subjects. If this tendency is sustained, it

> may provide a genomic basis for fibromyalgia's dysautonomic nature, "

> ez-Lavin concluded.

>

> Sources

>

> Staud R, ME, Price DD, et al. New evidence

> for central sensitization of fibromyalgia patients: windup maintenance

> is abnormal. American College of Rheumatology meeting; San , TX;

> Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 551.

>

> Bazzichi L, Rossi A, Betti L, et al. Impaired

> serotonin transporter in fibromyalgia patients and correlation with

> clinical assessment and laboratory tests. American College of

> Rheumatology meeting; San , TX; Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 1246.

>

> Chen JH, Chang YM, Wang JY, et al. Abnormal regional

> cerebral blood flow in male fibromyalgia patients. American College of

> Rheumatology; San , TX; Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 1270.

>

> ez-Lavin M, Ramos-Kuri M, F, et al.

> Exploring a genomic basis for fibromyalgia's dysautonomic nature:

> catechol-O-methyl transferase val-158-met polymorphism. American College

> of Rheumatology meeting; San , TX; Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 548.

>

>

>

>

>

> I'll tell you where to go!

>

> Mayo Clinic in Rochester

> http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

>

> s Hopkins Medicine

> http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

hi paula im am new .but i was dx 7yrs ago with fibromyalgia for yrs drs said it

was in my head .well glad to find out it was really in my head.my new dr does

not really understand fm or the pain that goes with it a54

<a54@...> wrote:,

It is great that they have found more evidence that fibromyalgia isn¹t in

our heads. Well actually I guess they really did find out it¹s in our heads

LOL! Maybe some of these doctors that are disbelievers that FM exists will

have different opinions.

a

> More neural changes reported in fibromyalgia

>

>

> Rheumawire

> Nov 5, 2004

> Janis

>

> San , TX - Researchers have identified several abnormalities in

> brain and neural function in patients with fibromyalgia (FM), 1 of which

> appears to have a genetic basis. The data were presented at the American

> College of Rheumatology 2004 meeting.

>

> Several studies identified alterations in brain function in patients

> with FM:

>

>

> Dr Roland Staud (University of Florida, Gainesville) reported

> additional evidence for central sensitization in FM. " Windup " (temporal

> summation of secondary pain) is maintained with lower levels of ongoing

> pain stimulation and produces greater and more prolonged pain sensations

> in FM patients than in healthy controls [1].

>

> Dr Bazzichi (S Chiari Hospital, Pisa, Italy) found that FM

> patients have less functional platelet serotonin (5-HT) transporter,

> suggesting that this important factor might also be reduced in the brain

> of FM patients. Bazzichi notes that similar impairment of 5-HT

> transporter has been observed in psychiatric patients [2].

>

> Dr Jiunn Horng Chen (China Medical University Hospital, Taichung,

> Taiwan) found that male and female FM patients had similar areas of low

> cerebral blood flow in the thalamus and the temporoparietal areas but

> that males with FM also have reduced blood flow in subcortical regions

> [3].

>

>

> Among the more intriguing early studies was work by Dr

> ez-Lavin (National Institute of Cardiology, Mexico City, Mexico)

> suggesting that FM patients' " relentless sympathetic hyperactivity "

> might be associated with a mutation affecting catecholamine metabolism.

> The enzyme catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) mediates most

> catecholamine catabolism, and ez-Lavin reported that a specific

> COMT genotype appears to be more common in FM patients than in healthy

> controls [4].

>

> The polymorphism involves a switch from val to met in codon 158 of the

> COMT gene. The val/val genotype encodes a very efficient

> catecholamine-clearing version of COMT and is found in about 25% of the

> general population. The val/met genotype makes a somewhat less efficient

> enzyme, and the met/met gene product is less effective still.

>

> DNA analysis of 8 FM patients and 12 healthy controls showed that 7 of 8

> patients had one of the less effective COMT genotypes, vs only about

> half of the control subjects. Half of the FM patients had the met/met

> genotype, vs only one sixth of controls.

>

> " Patients tend to segregate from the COMT val/val genotype, in contrast

> to what occurs in control subjects. If this tendency is sustained, it

> may provide a genomic basis for fibromyalgia's dysautonomic nature, "

> ez-Lavin concluded.

>

> Sources

>

> Staud R, ME, Price DD, et al. New evidence

> for central sensitization of fibromyalgia patients: windup maintenance

> is abnormal. American College of Rheumatology meeting; San , TX;

> Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 551.

>

> Bazzichi L, Rossi A, Betti L, et al. Impaired

> serotonin transporter in fibromyalgia patients and correlation with

> clinical assessment and laboratory tests. American College of

> Rheumatology meeting; San , TX; Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 1246.

>

> Chen JH, Chang YM, Wang JY, et al. Abnormal regional

> cerebral blood flow in male fibromyalgia patients. American College of

> Rheumatology; San , TX; Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 1270.

>

> ez-Lavin M, Ramos-Kuri M, F, et al.

> Exploring a genomic basis for fibromyalgia's dysautonomic nature:

> catechol-O-methyl transferase val-158-met polymorphism. American College

> of Rheumatology meeting; San , TX; Oct 16-21, 2004; Abstract 548.

>

>

>

>

>

> I'll tell you where to go!

>

> Mayo Clinic in Rochester

> http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

>

> s Hopkins Medicine

> http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

>

>

>

>