the impact of neuroplasty on subjective symptoms in rheumatic diseases

2024 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K08551
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 54020:Connective tissue disease and allergy-related
• Research Institution: Jikei University School of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Noda Kentaro 東京慈恵会医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (30547914)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: 関節リウマチ / シェーグレン症候群 / 中枢性感作 / 皮膚筋炎 / 全身性エリテマトーデス / 筋膜炎 / 筋痛 / 感覚神経

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we aimed to elucidate the relationship between neural plasticity and subjective symptoms in rheumatic diseases. Specifically, we investigated the localization of inflammatory cells in muscle tissue, the distribution of sensory nerve innervation in muscle tissue, and their association with myalgia in rheumatic diseases. Additionally, we examined the prevalence of central sensitization in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Sjogren's syndrome.Our findings revealed that sensory nerves are distributed around blood vessels in the fascia and interfascicular muscle spaces, and the presence of inflammatory cell infiltration in close proximity to these nerves is associated with the development of myalgia. Furthermore, we found that patients with difficult-to-treat RA (D2T-RA) frequently exhibited mild central sensitization, and that central sensitization was highly prevalent in patients with Sjogren's syndrome.

Free Research Field

リウマチ・膠原病学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

筋膜、筋肉の神経支配と炎症細胞浸潤の部位との関係を考慮することでリウマチ性疾患における筋痛の機序の理解が深まることが期待される。また、本邦における関節リウマチ、シェーグレン症候群における中枢性感作の頻度、臨床的特徴が明らかとなった。本研究成果によりリウマチ性疾患における中枢性感作による症状の周知と理解が深まると共に、今後、中枢性感作の成因の解明が期待される。