The effects of multidisciplinary therapy on positron emission tomography of the brain in fibromyalgia: a pilot study

Aberrant central neurological functioning is believed to contribute to the abnormal sensations of fibromyalgia (FM). This pilot study sought to determine if alterations in regional brain metabolism from baseline occur in FM after undergoing a multidisciplinary therapeutic regimen. Regional brain met...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Rheumatology international 2007-09, Vol.27 (11), p.1019-1024
Main Authors: Walitt, Brian, Roebuck-Spencer, Tresa, Esposito, Guiseppe, Atkins, Frances, Bleiberg, Joseph, Foster, Gregory, Weinstein, Arthur
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Female
Fibromyalgia - diagnostic imaging
Fibromyalgia - physiopathology
Fibromyalgia - therapy
Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
Humans
Limbic System - diagnostic imaging
Limbic System - physiology
Middle Aged
Pain Measurement
Positron-Emission Tomography - methods
Prospective Studies
Radiopharmaceuticals
Severity of Illness Index
Tomography
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Summary:Aberrant central neurological functioning is believed to contribute to the abnormal sensations of fibromyalgia (FM). This pilot study sought to determine if alterations in regional brain metabolism from baseline occur in FM after undergoing a multidisciplinary therapeutic regimen. Regional brain metabolic activity was estimated using (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ((18)FDG PET). Nine participants with FM received an 8-week comprehensive treatment program. Serial testing with (18)FDG PET and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire were performed. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated Wilcoxon signed rank tests. A clinical improvement (FIQ median change 20.68, P = 0.005) was noted with treatment. With treatment, increases in brain metabolism were noted in various components of the limbic system (P = 0.004-0.1). An increase in limbic metabolism was noted with concomitant symptomatic improvement, suggesting that the limbic system attenuates FM symptoms.
ISSN:0172-8172
1437-160X
DOI:10.1007/s00296-007-0405-7