Reduced Presynaptic Dopamine Activity in Fibromyalgia Syndrome Demonstrated With Positron Emission Tomography: A Pilot Study
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.
⁎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.
‡PET Imaging Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana, Shreveport, Louisiana.
Address reprint requests to Patrick B. Wood, MD, Department of Family Medicine, LSU Health Sciences Center – Shreveport, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71103.
Supported by Intramural Grant, Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana, and Faculty Development Grant, Department of Family Medicine, LSUHSC – Shreveport.
ABSTRACT