Unique pattern of gene expression can indicate acetaminophen overdose

Contact: Robin Mackar rmackar@niehs.nih.gov 919-541-0073 NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences May lead to new tool for physicians In a new study, researchers found they could detect toxic levels of acetaminophen in laboratory animals by analyzing gene expression in the blood. This study by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the [...]

Prevalence of Interpersonal Abuse in Primary Care Patients Prescribed Opioids for Chronic Pain.

Balousek S, Plane MB, Fleming M. Department of Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA. BACKGROUND: Interpersonal abuse is associated with clinical problems including chronic pain disorders. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to describe 30-day and lifetime prevalence of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse found in [...]

SOUNDING OFF ABOUT FIBROMYALGIA AWARENESS WEEK

By Jeanne Hambleton© UK Fibromite I know I am always going on about raising awareness and fibromyalgia and this is especially important as far as the UK Government is concerned. Although we have E Petitions allegedly for the eyes of the Prime Minister, asking for support for various aspects of fibromyalgia, I have my doubts [...]

Genetics of chronic pain states.

Buskila D. Department of Medicine H, Soroka Medical Center and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, P.O.B 151, Israel 84101. Chronic pain states are common in the general population. Genetic factors can explain a significant amount of the variability in the perception of pain. Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and related conditions are syndromes [...]

Increased Levels of Neurotrophins Are Not Specific for Chronic Migraine: Evidence from Primary Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

Sarchielli P, Mancini ML, Floridi A, Coppola F, Rossi C, Nardi K, Acciarresi M, Alberto Pini L, Calabresi P. Neurologic Clinic, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties and Public Health, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy. All data obtained in experimental animal pain models support the role of nerve growth factor (NGF) as a putative candidate [...]

Cranial electrotherapy stimulation and fibromyalgia.

Gilula MF. President and Director, Life Energies Research Institute, 2510 Inagua Avenue, Miami, FL 33133, USA. mgilula@mindspring.com. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) is a well-documented neuroelectrical modality that has been proven effective in some good studies of fibromyalgia (FM) patients. CES is no panacea but, for some FM patients, the modality can be valuable. This article [...]

How pain distracts the brain

Contact: Erin Doonan edoonan@cell.com 617-397-2802 Cell Press Anybody who’s tried to concentrate on work while suffering a headache knows that pain compellingly commands attention—which is how evolution helped ensure survival in a painful world. Now, researchers have pinpointed the brain region responsible for pain’s ability to affect cognitive processing. They have found that this pain-related [...]

Chronic widespread pain in the spectrum of rheumatological diseases.

Bliddal H, Danneskiold-Samsøe B. The Parker Institute, Frederiksberg Hospital, Ndr Fasanvej 57, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark. Chronic pain is very common in all European countries, with musculoskeletal problems predominating. About 1% of the adult population develops a syndrome of chronic muscle pain, fibromyalgia (FMS), characterized by multiple tender points, back or neck pain, and a number [...]

Pain acceptance moderates the relation between pain and negative affect in female osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia patients.

Kratz AL, Davis MC, Zautra AJ. . Background: Chronic pain is often intractable despite advanced medical and psychotherapeutic treatments. Pain acceptance is emerging as a promising complement to control-based pain management strategies and a likely approach to maintaining quality of life for chronic pain patients. Purpose: This theoretically based analysis of an existing database examined [...]

Aquatic Training and Detraining on Fitness and Quality of Life in Fibromyalgia.

Tomas-Carus P, Häkkinen A, Gusi N, Leal A, Häkkinen K, Ortega-Alonso A. 1 Fitness and Lifequality Laboratory, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, SPAIN; 2 Department of Sports Sciences, Physical Activity and Health, University of Evora, Evora, PORTUGAL; 3 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Jyväskylä Central Hospital, Jyväskylä, FINLAND; 4 Hospital of [...]