Mapping of predictors of the disengagement of the descending inhibitory pain modulation system in fibromyalgia: an exploratory study.

Background: The main symptoms of fibromyalgia comprise diffuse pain, disability, depressive symptoms, catastrophizing, sleep disruption and fatigue, associated with dysfunction of the descending pain-modulating system (DPMS).

Objectives: We aimed to identify patterns of main symptoms of fibromyalgia and neuroplasticity biomarkers (i.e.

The Effects of Melatonin on the Descending Pain Inhibitory System and Neural Plasticity Markers in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer (ACBC) has been associated with fatigue, pain, depressive symptoms, and disturbed sleep. And, previous studies in non-cancer patients showed that melatonin could improve the descending pain modulatory system (DPMS). We tested the hypothesis that melatonin use before and during the first cycle of ACBC is better than placebo at improving the DPMS function assessed by changes in the 0-10 Numerical Pain Scale (NPS) during the conditioned pain modulating task (CPM-task) (primary outcome).

Activated peripheral blood mononuclear cell mediators trigger astrocyte reactivity.

Sepsis is characterized by a severe and disseminated inflammation. In the central nervous system, sepsis promotes synaptic dysfunction and permanent cognitive impairment. Besides sepsis-induced neuronal dysfunction, glial cell response has been gaining considerable attention with microglial activation as a key player.