Publication
Title
A capital role for the brain's insula in the diverse fibromyalgia-associated symptoms
Author
Abstract
Unexplained yet persisting general and widespread non-articular musculoskeletal pain and the associated complaints, known as fibromyalgia (FM), is a common disorder with major social and economic impact. We postulate that in FM disturbance of neurotransmitter balances at the brain's insula not only leads to aberrant pain processing but could also govern other associated symptoms. Symptoms might arise from central nervous system dysregulation mediated through an imbalance between the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate and the inhibitory transmitter gamma-amino butyric acid. The insula could also have a leading role in the dysregulation of heart rate and blood pressure, bladder and bowel symptoms, and anxiety and sleep disturbances which are experienced by many FM patients. The presented hypothesis explains how the diverse FM-associated symptoms could be linked, and puts the brain's insula forward as a possible therapeutic target to be further explored for FM.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Medical hypotheses. - Edinburgh
Publication
Edinburgh : 2020
ISSN
0306-9877
DOI
10.1016/J.MEHY.2020.110077
Volume/pages
143 (2020) , 6 p.
Article Reference
110077
ISI
000577511800039
Pubmed ID
32721793
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 30.10.2020
Last edited 13.11.2024
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