Evidence for spinal disinhibition as a pain-generating mechanism in fibromyalgia syndrome.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Pain phenomenology in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) shows considerable overlap with neuropathic pain. Altered neural processing leading to symptoms of neuropathic pain can occur at the level of the spinal cord, and 1 potential mechanism is spinal disinhibition. A biomarker of spinal disinhibition is impaired H-reflex rate-dependent depression (HRDD).

Objectives

This study investigated whether patients with FMS exhibit evidence of spinal disinhibition.

Methods

Thirty-one individuals with FMS and 20 healthy volunteers underwent testing of Hoffman reflex including HRDD, along with assessment of clinical signs and symptoms, pressure pain thresholds, temporal summation of pain (wind-up), and conditioned pain modulation (CPM). Small nerve fibre stru

SUBMITTER: Marshall A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11677609 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature