Behavioral Changes and Long-Term Cortical Thickness Alterations in Women with Fibromyalgia.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine long-term brain and behavioral changes in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) compared to healthy individuals.

Methods: Data from 33 female volunteers with FM and 33 healthy controls women paired by age and school degree were used to analyze the cortical thickness from high-resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) obtained through a 3T-MRI scanner. Additionally, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Scale, the emotion regulation questionnaire (ERQ), and the Hamilton Depression and Anxiety rating scales were used to evaluate the behavioral changes.

Results: The findings indicate significant cortical structure differences in the right cerebral hemisphere between groups in the insular anterior cortex precentral and postcentral gyrus (P < .001). The FM group scored higher for alexithymia (P < .01), negative affect (P < .01), anxiety (P < .01), and depression (P < .01) symptoms, on the other hand, scored lower for positive affect (P < .01). No differences were found on the left cerebral hemisphere. Furthermore, there was a negative correlation between the right insular anterior cortex and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (P < .001).

Conclusion: This study showed long-term brain and behavioral changes in patients with FM, suggesting notable neurophysiological alterations associated with this chronic pain condition. It provides new insights into how FM may affect brain health and potential biomarkers for the condition.