A recent study published in Neurology and Neurophysiology reports an interesting discovery regarding the relationship between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). BDNF is a protein in our bodies that regulates our nervous systems and promotes nerve growth. BDNF also plays a…
Does pain processing worsen the longer one has had Fibromyalgia? At the Center for Musculoskeletal Pain Research, we are trying to unravel the role of aging for pain sensitivity and pain processing. We want to understand what happens to pain processing over time and how medications influence brain…
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a chronic widespread pain condition that is accompanied by fatigue, cognitive disturbances, and dysfunction. Patients suffering from FM also experience decreased quality of life and increased healthcare costs. Presently, FM is managed with a multidisciplinary approach involving drugs, behavioral interventions, physical therapy, and exercise. Neuroimaging…
We have sought to understand the brain for as long as we have been able to formulate thought. However, with over 100 billion neurons working together, the human brain remains an elusive structure. To better understand the human brain function several ambitious projects have been initiated worldwide. One of…
In November, Floridians will decide whether to legalize medical marijuana. The marijuana would be available only through a prescription for the treatment and management of “debilitating medical conditions”, such as end term AIDS and cancer. It is still unclear whether marijuana will be available for the treatment of chronic…
Major depression is a mental disorder characterized by fatigue, low self-esteem, loss of interest in normally enjoyable activities, and lack of energy. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating disorder that often presents with similar symptoms as depression. Importantly, both illnesses are accompanied by activation of cell mediated immunity.
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) are both multifactoral, debilitating disorders that affect a significant portion of the general population. Many of the abnormal findings detected in patients with FMS and CFS are associated with poor sleep, including fatigue, pain, depressed mood, and memory deficits. We know…
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating medical condition that is characterized by persistent, unexplained fatigue, insomnia, and pain which not relieved by rest and sleep. The cause of CFS is unclear, but infections have been associated with this illness. For example, in 2009 a study linked CFS to…
There is this myth that distance running is likely to contribute to the development of arthritis because it involves high impact joint loading. However, a new study entitled, “Why Don’t Most Runners Get Knee Osteoarthritis?” by researchers at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, demonstrated no evidence that running…
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a chronic pain condition that is associated with abnormal pain sensitivity, mood disturbances, and fatigue. Despite everything we know about FM, its cause and pathophysiology are not fully understood. However, we do know that individuals with FM have dysfunctional pain modulation, specifically decreased pain inhibition.
