Brain SPECT perfusion abonormalities correlate with severity of Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Abnormalities in the blood flow in the brain correlate with symptom severity in patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (Fibro), according to a recent article. [1]

The article, e-published ahead of print in the Journal of Nuclear medicine, describes a study by a team of researchers in France, which set out to investigate the specific clinical correlate of brain SPECT perfusion (blood/fluid flow) abnormalities reported in Fibro. [1]

The researchers performed a whole-brain voxel-based correlation analysis involving regional cerebral blood flow and various parameters related to pain (Visual Analog Scale, Tubingen Pain Behavior Scale, and Questionnaire Douleur de Saint-Antoine Scale), disability (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire [FIQ]), and anxiety and depression status (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale) in 20 patients with Fibro and 10 healthy control women (included in order to determine areas of significant hypo- and hyperperfusions in patients). [1]

They found that the FIQ total score in patients was positively correlated with blood flow in the area of the brain known as the parietal lobe, including the postcentral cortex. This correleation was seen in the areas of significant hyperfusion (extra blood flow). [1]

They also found that the FIQ total score was negatively correlated with blood flow in a left anterior temporal cluster, one of the areas of significant hypoperfusions (less blood flow). [1]

The researchers concluded that:

"These results show that brain perfusion abnormalities in patients with fibromyalgia are correlated with the clinical severity of the disease." [1]

References:

1. Guedj E, Cammilleri S, Niboyet J, Dupont P, Vidal E, Dropinski JP, Mundler O. Clinical Correlate of Brain SPECT Perfusion Abnormalities in Fibromyalgia. J Nucl Med. 2008 Oct 16. [Epub ahead of print]