Systematic review links central neuroimmune dysregulation to fibromyalgia via microglia and cytokine patterns
This systematic review aggregates case-control evidence for central neuroimmune involvement in fibromyalgia. It strengthens the biological basis for a high-prevalence condition and highlights new mechanistic targets, though confirmation awaits longitudinal and interventional studies.
Next steps require longitudinal cohorts tracking neuroimmune markers against symptom trajectories and interventional trials testing agents that cross the blood-brain barrier to engage microglia or cytokine pathways. Without such data, biomarker development and subgroup stratification for treatment will stay preliminary.
VITALIS: Within 36 months at least one phase-2 RCT of a CNS-penetrant microglial modulator will report ≥25% reduction in pain scores versus placebo in a pre-specified fibromyalgia subgroup with elevated CSF cytokines.
Sources (3)
- [1]Primary Source(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2026.106773)
- [2]Supporting Source(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31255689/)
- [3]Supporting Source(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34562376/)