Abnormal Brain Morphology and the Fibromyalgia Patient

Recent studies have indicated that individuals who have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia actually have abnormal brain morphology. Evidence was drawn from both those with the painful condition and those that were deemed "healthy" by medical professionals. Many different types of diagnostic and imaging procedures were used in order to validate that the brain of the Fibromyalgia sufferer often displayed abnormalities - specifically in the area that is identified as "Gray Matter". However, this is not the only area of the brain that displayed an anomaly. By identifying the fact that there are brain differences in sufferers, medical professionals may be closer to determining a more appropriate treatment, and may even be considering possible resolution techniques.

Fibromyalgia is a condition that is extremely uncomfortable. Individuals who suffer from this medical complication often experience muscle pain throughout the body, hypersensitivities to touch, temperatures, noise, sound, and light, and sleep complications. In addition to this, gastrointestinal complications such as irritable bowel syndrome, pain in the abdomen and pelvic region may also be experienced. A condition called "Fibro Fog" may also be experienced. This often results in complications with remembering things, focusing on tasks that need to be completed, and various other types of cognitive impairments. Headaches and even situations such as high levels of anxiety and varying degrees of depression may be experienced.

The study performed on Fibromyalgia patients showed medical professionals and researchers that there are various types of abnormalities in different regions of the brain of the sufferers of this health condition. The use of what is referred to as a "MR-DTI" or "Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imager" was used in conjunction with a "MR-VBM". This stands for "Magnetic Resonance of Voxel-Based Morphometry" were used during the course of the study to confirm the hypothesis of the medical professionals with a vested interest in learning the truth behind the pain and other symptoms associated with Fibromyalgia.

Scientists and others who played a role in establishing abnormal brain morphology in Fibromyalgia patients were able to uncover the following findings:

• The brain imaging study concluded that there are both structure and form abnormalities in the brains of those who suffer from Fibromyalgia syndrome or FMS.

• The abnormalities were not limited to just one region or specific section of the brain, but were in "multiple regions" of the brain.

• The MR-DTI study concluded that the feelings of pain, stress, feelings of fatigue, and other symptoms were noted in the direct response of the brain and the overall intensity of the symptoms rendered results with the MR-DTI tests.

• The gray matter of the brain was noted to experience vast reductions in Fibromyalgia patients, yet did not appear to be reduced or altered in any way on those who did not have Fibromyalgia and were considered to be healthy.

• One study concluded that the decrease and abnormalities that appeared evident concerning the gray matter of the brain could be directly related to "Dopamine", which is a neurotransmitter in the brain. It is believed that the metabolism of this particular neurotransmitter has a direct impact on the amount of gray matter that is reduced in the patient.

• A specific scanning and imaging technique that is referred to as "SPECT" displayed the fact that Fibromyalgia sufferers experience complications when it comes to the flow of blood to the brain. "SPECT" stands for "Single Photon Emission Computer Tomography". This finding was originally placed in the publication referred to as "The Journal of Nuclear Medicine".

Based on the study, as well as other findings by several of other studies of Fibromyalgia, it is official that there is significant abnormal brain morphology in the Fibromyalgia patient. The condition is a direct result of a neurological dysfunction in the body. While a neurological dysfunction is not considered to be a "cause", it is a direct result of a cause that resulted in the dysfunction. This study also confirms that Fibromyalgia syndrome is a physiological medical disorder and not simply psychological as many in the past have been led to believe. If you have Fibromyalgia, set an appointment with your medical doctor. It is important that they identify your unique abnormal brain morphology in order to identify a treatment that is appropriate for your unique experience with the medical condition.