ArticlePloS one2022
Reduced midbrain raphe echogenicity in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.
Article in PloS one, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed, 5 citations in OpenAlex.
- Differential Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Mood and Pain Symptoms in People With Chronic Pain and Major Depressive Disorders-A Review.European journal of pain (London, England) · 2025Review
- Metformin and fibromyalgia pathophysiology: current insights and promising future therapeutic strategies.Molecular biology reports · 2024Review
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Authors and funding
8 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
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Abstract
objectivesThe pathogenesis of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is unclear. Transcranial ultrasonography revealed anechoic alteration of midbrain raphe in depression and anxiety disorders, suggesting affection of the central serotonergic system. Here, we assessed midbrain raphe echogenicity in FMS.
methodsSixty-six patients underwent transcranial sonography, of whom 53 were patients with FMS (27 women, 26 men), 13 patients with major depression and physical pain (all women), and 14 healthy controls (11 women, 3 men). Raphe echogenicity was graded visually as normal or hypoechogenic, and quantified by digitized image analysis, each by investigators blinded to the clinical diagnosis.
resultsQuantitative midbrain raphe echogenicity was lower in patients with FMS compared to healthy controls (p<0.05), but not different from that of patients with depression and accompanying physical pain. Pain and FMS symptom burden did not correlate with midbrain raphe echogenicity as well as the presence and severity of depressive symptoms.
conclusionWe found reduced echogenicity of the midbrain raphe area in patients with FMS and in patients with depression and physical pain, independent of the presence or severity of pain, FMS, and depressive symptoms. Further exploration of this sonographic finding is necessary before this objective technique may enter diagnostic algorithms in FMS and depression.
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