Fibromyalgia and the serotonin pathway.
J H Juhl
Review
Alternative medicine review : a journal of clinical therapeutic
1998
Study Design
- Study Type
- narrative review
- Population
- Review of evidence for decreased serotonin flux in fibromyalgia syndrome; covers serotonin substrate supplementation (L-tryptophan, 5-HTP) effects on fibromyalgia symptoms
- Intervention
- Fibromyalgia and the serotonin pathway. L-tryptophan or 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) supplementation (dose varies by cited study)
- Comparator
- placebo or baseline (in cited studies)
- Primary Outcome
- Improvement in fibromyalgia symptoms (depression, anxiety, insomnia, somatic pain) via serotonin pathway supplementation
- Effect Direction
- Positive
- Risk of Bias
- Unclear
Abstract
Fibromyalgia syndrome is a musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder manifested by diffuse myalgia, localized areas of tenderness, fatigue, lowered pain thresholds, and nonrestorative sleep. Evidence from multiple sources support the concept of decreased flux through the serotonin pathway in fibromyalgia patients. Serotonin substrate supplementation, via L-tryptophan or 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), has been shown to improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia and somatic pains in a variety of patient cohorts. Identification of low serum tryptophan and serotonin levels may be a simple way to identify persons who will respond well to this approach.