FIBROMYALGIA AND ANXIETY Fibromyalgia patients frequently suffer from anxiety and depression. For example, in the following study the researchers found that 50% of the patients with fibromyalgia suffered from anxiety. An evaluation of anxiety and depression symptoms in fibromyalgia. dos Santos, E.B., L.J. Quintans Junior, B.P. Fraga, J.C. Macieira, L.R. Bonjardim. 2012. Rev Esc Enferm USP. 46(3):590-6. The frequency of anxiety and depression symptoms was, respectively, 50% and 86% for individuals with fibromyalgia...Anxiety and depression were frequent symptoms among patients with fibromyalgia. In our previous post we discussed the elevated levels of glutamate (the brains excitatory neurotransmitter) in patients with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia patients also have significantly lower levels of GABA (the brains inhibitory neurotransmitter), as the following study confirms. Reduced insular γ-aminobutyric acid in fibromyalgia. Foerster, B.R., M. Petrou, R.A. Edden, P.C. Sundgren, T. Schmidt-Wilcke, S.E. Lowe, S.E. Harte, D.J. Clauw, R.E. Harris. 2012. Arthritis Rheum. Feb;64(2):579-83. GABA levels in the right anterior insula were significantly lower in FM patients compared with healthy controls…Diminished inhibitory neurotransmission resulting from lower concentrations of GABA within the right anterior insula may play a role in the pathophysiology of FM and other central pain syndromes. Excitation in the brain must be balanced with inhibition. Too much excitation can lead to anxiety, insomnia, impulsivity, inability to focus attention, and even seizures. Anti-anxiety medications, such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates, work by binding to GABA receptors to increase its inhibitory effect and relieve anxiety. The significantly lower levels of GABA found in fibromyalgia patients would clearly explain why many patients with fibromyalgia suffer from anxiety.
Posted on: Wed, 22 Jan 2014 03:08:53 +0000
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