Neuroscience 2003 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 413.17 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Functional magnetic resonance imaging of working memory in fibromyalgia. |
| Authors: |
Bangert, A.*1
; Glass, J. M.2
; Welsh, R. C.3
; Crofford, L. J.4
; Taylor, S. F.
; Park, D. C.
1Psychology, Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 2MI, 525 East Univ., 48109-1109, 3USA, 525 East Univ., 48109-1109, 4Inst. for Social Res., 525 East Univ., 48109-1109, |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions - Neuromuscular Diseases |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Cognition and Behavior<br />- Human Cognition and Behavior<br />-- Executive function: Working memory |
| Session: |
413. Neuromuscular Diseases Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Monday, November 10, 2003 8:00 AM-9:00 AM |
| Location: | Morial Convention Center - Hall F-I, Board # JJ7 |
| Keywords: | COGNITION, CEREBRAL CORTEX, NEUROIMAGING, PAIN |
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a puzzling disease marked by arthralgia and reports of memory dysfunction. Although FMs have been dismissed as malingerers, recent fMRI data show they have heightened sensitivity to pain mediated by several brain regions (Gracely et al., 2002), and their memory function is similar to adults 20 years older (Park et al., 2001). Using fMRI, we investigated whether FMs have “old” brains, with neural recruitment patterns (bilateral frontal and more extensive activations) during a working memory (WM) task typical of older adults, rather than patterns (focused, primarily unilateral activations) typical of younger adults. FMs (n = 12) and age- and education-matched controls (n = 9) performed a verbal WM task that involved either maintaining letters in memory or reorganizing them alphabetically and then responding to a probe. We found neural activation differences for manipulation of items in WM between FMs and controls, although behavioral performance was equivalent in both WM conditions. Specifically, FMs showed more activation in frontal and parietal regions, including bilateral activation in the middle frontal gyrus (BA 6) and right side activation in medial frontal gyrus (BA 8), superior parietal lobe (BA 7, 39), and precentral gyrus (bordering BA 6, 8, and 44). This pattern of results is reminiscent of neural activations that typify older adults and suggests that cognitive dysfunction reported by FMs may be reflected in increased neural activation. Whether these additional activations are compensatory for neural deficits in FMs is an urgent matter for future investigation.
Supported by Pfizer Corporation
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2003 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. New Orleans, LA: Society for Neuroscience, 2003. Online.
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