Background/Purpose: Recent studies employing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have demonstrated altered intrinsic brain connectivity in patients with fibromyalgia (FM); however, few studies have addressed the issue of the salience of pain in FM.  In this study, we  investigated the possible alteration in the salience processing of pain in patients with FM.

Methods: A total of 44 female subjects (20 FM patients and 24 healthy controls) underwent  resting-state fMRI. Independent component analysis (ICA) was used for evaluation of resting-state salience network (SN) connectivity. Correlation analyses were performed for determination of correlation between changes in mood and intrinsic connectivity in  brain regions within the MPN. The Beck depression inventory (BDI) and Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) were used for assessment of mood changes.

Results: Compared with healthy control subjects, the significant increase in functional connectivity of anterior insula within the SN was found in patients with FM. The increase in functional connectivity within the SN was not associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Conclusion: Increased functional connectivity suggests spontaneous altered activity in the salience of pain in patients with FM implicating enhanced spontaneous salience to pain.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/altered-intrinsic-brain-connectivity-in-the-salience-network-of-fibromyalgia-patients-at-rest/