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Hyperexcitability in pain matrices in patients with fibromyalgia
A. Truini1, M.C. Gerardi2, G. Di Stefano3, S. La Cesa4, C. Iannuccelli5, A. Pepe6, P. Sarzi-Puttini7, G. Cruccu8, M. Di Franco9
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
CER8203
2015 Vol.33, N°1 ,Suppl.88
PI 0068, PF 0072
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PMID: 25786046 [PubMed]
Received: 12/12/2014
Accepted : 10/02/2015
In Press: 18/03/2015
Published: 18/03/2015
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Emerging evidence associates fibromyalgia (FM) with pain system dysfunction. In this study, using laser evoked potentials (LEPs) and paired laser stimuli, we tested excitability in the pain matrices and sought possible changes in patients with FM.
METHODS:
In 20 patients with FM and 15 healthy subjects, after recording control nociceptive system-mediated Aδ- and C-fibre-related LEPs, we measured excitability in the pain matrices by testing the Aδ-LEP conditioned by a preceding C-LEP.
RESULTS:
No difference was found in control LEP amplitudes for Aδ- or C-fibres between patients and healthy subjects. Conversely, the Aδ-LEP amplitude, conditioned by a preceding C-LEP, was significantly higher in patients than in healthy subjects (p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS:
Objective evidence from increased conditioned Aδ-LEP amplitudes reflecting hyperexcitability in the pain matrices in FM, provides diagnostically useful information and might help in developing new therapeutic approaches.
