Decreased Central μ-Opioid Receptor Availability in Fibromyalgia

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2849-07.2007
• Publication Date: 2007-09-12T16:38:31Z
• Authors: Richard E. Harris; Daniel J. Clauw; David J. Scott; Samuel A. McLean; Richard H. Gracely; Jon-Kar Zubieta
• Keywords: μ-opioid receptor; Ventral striatum

The underlying neurophysiology of acute pain is fairly well characterized, whereas the central mechanisms operative in chronic states are less understood. Fibromyalgia (FM), a common condition characterized by widespread pain, thought to originate largely from altered neurotransmission. We compare sample 17 FM patients and age- sex-matched healthy controls, using mu-opioid receptor (MOR) positron emission tomography. demonstrate that display reduced MOR binding potential (BP) within several regions known play role modulation, including nucleus accumbens, amygdala, dorsal cingulate. BP accumbens was negatively correlated with affective ratings. Moreover, throughout cingulate striatum also relative amount (McGill, score/sensory score) these patients. These findings indicate endogenous opioid analgesic activity suggest possible reason for why exogenous opiates appear have efficacy this population.