Search

Background: Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FM) is a chronic syndrome primarily characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain. Although its aetiology is not fully understood, complex interactions between biological, genetic and various psycho-sociological factors are thought to be effective in the onset and maintenance of FM. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to examine social cognitive and attachment profiles of FM patients. Methods: 41 women with FM and 44 healthy women matched for education and age were included in the study. There was no significant difference in sociodemographic parameters between patient and control groups. The participants were recruited from a University Hospital in Istanbul. Sociodemographic data were questioned in both groups while FM group was also administered Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire to determine disease severity. In order to evaluate social cognition profiles of the participants, Reading Mind in the Eyes Test, Empathy Quotient and Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised were conducted. Results: FM patients did not differ significantly from control subjects by means of Reading Mind in the Eyes Test and Empathy Quotient scores (p= 0.33). Although no significant difference found between groups in means of attachment anxiety (p= 0.92), Fibromyalgia patients were found to have more avoidant attachment style than control group (p= 0.01). Conclusion: FM patients may have no social cognition impairments, especially in lack of any psychiatric comorbidities. Moreover, these patients may suffer from avoidant type of insecure attachment and this attachment style may affect social support seeking behaviour of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Activation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and interrelated alterations of calmodulin and ionotropic glutamate receptor (GluN1) levels are unknown in post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Materials and Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes were exposed to dirty cat litter, and then placed on an elevated plus maze. An anxiety index was calculated and tissue samples from hippocampus and amygdala were prepared in order to detect calmodulin, NOS and GluN1 by immunoblotting. Results: The anxiety indices of the traumatized rats were markedly higher than those of the controls (p<0.05). GluN1 and calmodulin levels were decreased in the dorsal hippocampus and amygdaloid complex of the traumatized rats. NOS expression increased significantly in both the amygdaloid complex and dorsal hippocampus where the increase was statistically more prominent in the amygdaloid complex (p< 0.001) than in the dorsal hippocampus of the traumatized rats (p<0.05). Conclusion: Predator exposure in rats causes long-lasting anxiogenic effects associated with increases in NOS and decreases in GluN1 expressions in brain areas related to PTSD symptoms and excitotoxicity. The results suggest that excitotoxicity occurs through other mechanisms rather than GluN1 receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]