Fibromyalgia Clinical Trials in Birmingham, AL

The primary purpose of this study is to preliminarily estimate the efficacy of psilocybin-facilitated treatment for fibromyalgia. Investigators will assess the impact of psilocybin-facilitated treatment on pain, fatigue, and other fibromyalgia symptoms, in addition to the level of functioning and quality of life. Investigators will also evaluate potential mediators of treatment (e.g., treatment expectations, pain characteristics, personality, beliefs/cognitions, emotions). Investigators hypothesize psilocybin treatment will significantly reduce symptom severity in fibromyalgia patients. Read Less

The primary objective of this study is to measure the concentration and the regional brain distribution of activated brain microglia/macrophages using the PET radiopharmaceutical \[F-18\]DPA-714 in individuals with chronic pain and fatigue suspected to be associated with neuroinflammation. The PET tracer \[F-18\]DPA-714 binds to the 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO, also known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor) in the mitochondria of activated microglia/macrophages and provides a non-invasive measure of neuroinflammation. The primary objective of this study is to determine if pain and fatigue patients have higher levels of neuroinflammation than HC individuals as measured with \[F-18\]DPA-714-PET/MRI. Read Less

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain condition that disproportionately impacts Veterans. Individuals diagnosed with FM patients experience lower self-esteem and positive affect, as well as greater levels of depression, anxiety, negative affect, and pain catastrophizing. Among those experiencing FM, clinical and experimental pain are associated with specific dispositional trait profiles, which are indexed by levels of negative affect and positive affect. Neuroinflammation and inflammation also play a role in FM- related affect and pain. Recent studies that have highlighted neuroinflammation and inflammation as physiological mechanisms associated with changes in dysregulated affect and chronic pain. Veterans with FM can ameliorate their dispositional traits-i.e., increasing positive affect and reducing negative affect-by participating in exercise. However, a gap exists regarding how to optimally engage Veterans with FM in an exercise program. Thus, to fully take advantage of all potential therapeutic benefits of exercise for FM, there is a critical need to identify those factors underlying exercise engagement for FM pain management. The purpose for this study is to 1) determine associations of dispositional trait styles, neuroinflammation, and inflammation with pain outcomes in Veterans with FM; and 2) develop and design a Veteran-informed exercise program. Read Less

This study will use brain Positron Emission Tomography/ Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PET/MRI) and an investigational radioactive drug called \[Zr-89\]oxine to track the location of white blood cells (also called leukocytes) in the body. PET/MRI will be used to visualize labeled white blood cells and determine if they enter the central nervous system in conditions associated with brain inflammation (also called neuroinflammation). By better understanding the role of neuroinflammation in fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and multiple sclerosis, the investigator hopes to be able to better diagnose and treat patients in the future. Read Less