title: The effects of multidisciplinary therapy on positron emission tomography of the brain in fibromyalgia: a pilot study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Washington Hospital Center, 110 Irving Street, Washington, DC 20010, USA. Brian.t.walitt@medstar.net
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Walitt
authors.forename: Tresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Roebuck-Spencer
authors.forename: Guiseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Atkins
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bleiberg
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weinstein
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008032:Limbic System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18