Cerebral dysfunction in fibromyalgia: evidence from regional cerebral blood flow measurements, otoneurological tests...

Measurements of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, auditory brain stem responses (ABR) and oculomotor tests were performed in 19 patients with fibromyalgia. The results from the rCBF measurements showed a normal flow level with slight but significant focal flow decreases in dorsolateral frontal cortical areas of both hemispheres. The ABR results showed signs of dysfunction at least at the brain stem level and the oculomotor tests showed high frequency of pathology. The cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed discrete changes in the cell differential count. Possible explanations for the involvement of the central nervous system in fibromyalgia are discussed.