Spectroscopy Shows Brain Dysfunction in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Researchers at Cairo University (Cairo, Egypt) used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to highlight the differences in the levels and ratios of certain brain chemicals in the hippocampus of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome compared with a control group of healthy women. The findings suggest that metabolic dysfunction of the hippocampus might be the cause of some of the symptoms of the condition, the researchers said.

Because the hippocampus has a critical role in maintaining cognitive functions, sleep regulation, and pain perception, the researchers suggest that metabolic dysfunction of the hippocampus might be implicated in the symptoms of this puzzling syndrome.