Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
08:33
Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research
Published on: January 5, 2024
2.0K
Impaired pre-attentive auditory processing in fibromyalgia: A mismatch negativity (MMN) study
Woojin Choi1, Manyoel Lim2, June Sic Kim3
1Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Seoul National University College of Natural Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea; MEG Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Summary
Fibromyalgia patients show impaired pre-attentive auditory processing, as evidenced by altered auditory mismatch negativity (MMN). This suggests underlying neurophysiological changes affecting sensory perception in fibromyalgia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Fibromyalgia (FM) is associated with cognitive deficits, including attention and working memory impairments.
- Pre-attentive information processing is fundamental for perception and cognition.
- Alterations in pre-attentive processing may underlie cognitive dysfunction in FM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in pre-attentive auditory processing in FM patients.
- To assess pre-attentive processing using auditory mismatch negativity (MMN).
Main Methods:
- Recorded auditory evoked magnetic fields in FM patients (n=18) and healthy controls (n=21).
- Utilized a duration-deviant auditory oddball paradigm.
- Measured magnetic mismatch negativity (MMNm) and pressure pain thresholds.
Main Results:
- FM patients exhibited attenuated MMNm peak amplitudes in the right hemispheres.
- A lower directional asymmetry coefficient of MMNm amplitude was observed in FM patients, indicating leftward asymmetry.
- Reduced right MMNm amplitude correlated with lower pressure pain thresholds in FM patients.
Conclusions:
- Pre-attentive processing of auditory information is impaired in fibromyalgia patients.
- This study provides neurophysiological evidence for impaired sensory change detection in FM.
- Findings suggest a link between sensory processing deficits and fibromyalgia.
