Fibromyalgia syndrome and serotonin

Although disturbances in the musculo-skeletal system, in the neuroendocrine system and in the central nervous system (CNS) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), the primary mechanisms und erlying the etiopathogenesis of FMS remain elusive. It has been postulated that disturbances in serotonin metabolism and transmission, along with dist urbances in several other chemical pain mediators, are present in patients with FMS. In this article we review published studies on the pathophysiolog ical role of serotonin in FMS. Although studies that indirectly measured th e function of serotonin in the CNS in FMS revealed some abnormalities in th e metabolism and transmission of serotonin, the role of serotonin in the pa thophysiology of syndrome remains inconclusive and warrants more studies.