Working memory impairment in fibromyalgia patients associated with altered frontoparietal memory network.
BACKGROUND
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a disorder characterized by chronic widespread pain and frequently associated with other symptoms. Patients with FM commonly report cognitive complaints, including memory problem. The objective of this study was to investigate the differences in neural correlates of working memory between FM patients and healthy subjects, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).


RESULTS
Nineteen FM patients and 22 healthy subjects performed an n-back memory task during MRI scan. Functional MRI data were analyzed using within- and between-group analysis. Both activated and deactivated brain regions during n-back task were evaluated. In addition, to investigate the possible effect of depression and anxiety, group analysis was also performed with depression and anxiety level in terms of Beck depression inventory (BDI) and Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) as a covariate. Between-group analyses, after controlling for depression and anxiety level, revealed that within the working memory network, inferior parietal cortex was strongly associated with the mild (r = 0.309, P = 0.049) and moderate (r = 0.331, P = 0.034) pain ratings. In addition, between-group comparison revealed that within the working memory network, the left DLPFC, right VLPFC, and right inferior parietal cortex were associated with the rating of depression and anxiety?


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the working memory deficit found in FM patients may be attributable to differences in neural activation of the frontoparietal memory network and may result from both pain itself and depression and anxiety associated with pain.
Department of Medical and Biological Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Dong-In dong, Jung-gu, Daegu, Korea.
Jeehye
J
Seo
Seong-Ho
SH
Kim
Yang-Tae
YT
Kim
Hui-jin
HJ
Song
Jae-jun
JJ
Lee
Sang-Hyon
SH
Kim
Seung Woo
SW
Han
Eon Jeong
EJ
Nam
Seong-Kyu
SK
Kim
Hui Joong
HJ
Lee
Seung-Jae
SJ
Lee
Yongmin
Y
Chang
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011859:Radiography