The Journal of Pain
Volume 8, Issue 1 , Pages 51-58, January 2007

Reduced Presynaptic Dopamine Activity in Fibromyalgia Syndrome Demonstrated With Positron Emission Tomography: A Pilot Study

  • Patrick B. Wood

      Affiliations

    • Departments of Family Medicine and Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center–Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana.
    • Department of Psychiatry, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center–Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana.
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress reprint requests to Patrick B. Wood, MD, Department of Family Medicine, LSU Health Sciences Center – Shreveport, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71103.
    • ,
  • James C. Patterson II

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center–Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana.
    • PET Imaging Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana, Shreveport, Louisiana.
    • ,
  • John J. Sunderland

      Affiliations

    • PET Imaging Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana, Shreveport, Louisiana.
    • ,
  • Kerrie H. Tainter

      Affiliations

    • PET Imaging Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana, Shreveport, Louisiana.
    • ,
  • Michael F. Glabus

      Affiliations

    • PET Imaging Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana, Shreveport, Louisiana.
    • ,
  • David L. Lilien

      Affiliations

    • PET Imaging Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana, Shreveport, Louisiana.

Received 13 January 2006; received in revised form 21 May 2006; accepted 26 May 2006. published online 05 October 2006.

Abstract 

Although the pathophysiology underlying the pain of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) remains unknown, a variety of clinical and investigational findings suggests a dysregulation of dopaminergic neurotransmission. We therefore investigated presynaptic dopaminergic function in 6 female FMS patients in comparison to 8 age- and gender-matched controls as assessed by positron emission tomography with 6-[18F]fluoro-L-DOPA as a tracer. Semiquantitative analysis revealed reductions in 6-[18F]fluoro-L-DOPA uptake in several brain regions, indicating a disruption of presynaptic dopamine activity wherein dopamine plays a putative role in natural analgesia. Although the small sample size makes these findings preliminary, it appears that FMS might be characterized by a disruption of dopaminergic neurotransmission.

Perspective

An association between FMS and reduced dopamine metabolism within the pain neuromatrix provides important insights into the pathophysiology of this mysterious disorder.

Key words: Dopamine, DOPA decarboxylase, fibromyalgia, pain, Parkinson’s disease, positron emission tomography, stress

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

 Supported by Intramural Grant, Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana, and Faculty Development Grant, Department of Family Medicine, LSUHSC – Shreveport.

PII: S1526-5900(06)00843-1

doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2006.05.014

The Journal of Pain
Volume 8, Issue 1 , Pages 51-58, January 2007

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution