Neurotransmitter Imbalances: Elevated cerebrospinal fluid levels of
substance P in patients with the fibromyalgia syndrome.
Russell IJ, Orr MD, Littman B, Vipraio GA, Alboukrek D,
Michalek JE, Lopez Y, MacKillip F

OBJECTIVE: To measure, and seek clinical correlates with, levels of substance P (SP) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients.

METHODS: CSF from 32 FMS patients and 30 normal control subjects was tested for SP by radioimmunoassay. Clinical measures included tender point examination and standardized questionnaires.

RESULTS: CSF SP levels were 3-fold higher in FMS patients than in normal controls (P<0.001), but they correlated only weakly with tenderness found on examination.

CONCLUSION: SP is significantly elevated in FMS CSF, but other abnormalities must exist in FMS to more fully explain the symptoms.

Arthritis Rheum (1994 Nov) 37(11):1593-601

Neurotransmitter Imbalances: Elevated cerebrospinal fluid levels of substance P in patients with the fibromyalgia syndrome. Russell IJ, Orr MD, Littman B, Vipraio GA, Alboukrek D, Michalek JE, Lopez Y, MacKillip F

Neurotransmitter Imbalances: Elevated cerebrospinal fluid levels of
substance P in patients with the fibromyalgia syndrome.
Russell IJ, Orr MD, Littman B, Vipraio GA, Alboukrek D,
Michalek JE, Lopez Y, MacKillip F