An objective test for fibromyalgia will change everything. As a researcher, Dr. Jarred Younger’s mission to figure out fibromyalgia has led him to study neuroinflammation as a primary suspect. “What I think is happening in fibro is an overly robust immune response, an abnormal reaction to low level, daily insults to the immune system.” Having seen so much suffering with no effective treatment options, Dr. Younger has become driven to solve the mystery of fibromyalgia by scientifically uncovering the root cause.

Key Points

• Could fibromyalgia be the result of inflammation in the brain? Find out what cutting edge science is discovering.
• A new tool for scanning and imaging the brain may help us finally pinpoint the pathology of fibromyalgia.
• The discovery of low-dose naltrexone as a treatment option occurred as Dr. Younger was testing his hypothesis on inflammation in the brain.
• Correcting inflammation in the brain can begin with simple (albeit difficult!) dietary and lifestyle changes.
• The hardest thing about running studies is getting willing participants — but that's how we make the scientific advancement.
• Advocacy is having a tremendous effect on fibromyalgia research. It actually improves the scientist's ability to create new information. 

About Dr. Jarred Younger

Dr. Jarred Younger is the director of the neuroinflammation Pain and Fatigue Laboratory at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He is currently funded by the National Institute of Health to study new techniques for diagnosing and treating neuroinflammation, which is inflammation in the brain and nervous system. Dr. Younger completed postdoctoral fellowships at Arizona State University and Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Younger's goal is to end the chronic pain and fatigue that is caused by inflammation in the brain. 

Links & Resources

• FibromyalgiaPodcast.com is the digital companion to this audio magazine, where you can find full show notes, links to the studies referenced in this episode, submit your questions for Tami Stackelhouse, and schedule a free consultation with a Fibromyalgia Coach.
• Get a free copy of Tami’s book, Take Back Your Life: Find Hope and Freedom From Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Pain at FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/books
• The Teal Pumpkin Project
• American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association
• ClinicalTrials.gov
• Report.NIH.gov
• UpToDate.com