While the connection between fibromyalgia and depression is clearly documented in multiple sources, less discussed is a possible connection between fibro and bipolar disorder.  Bortolato et al (see library) have studied the possible correlation between the two.  Looking at the similarities brings up some more possibilities for study.  Both fibromyalgia and bipolar disorder are characterized by:

1.  Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction
2.  Elevated inflammatory markers
3.  Oxidative stress  (I have to return to this one)
4. Nitrosative stress (a new one to look at)
5. Mitochondrial dysfunction (more study here is definitely needed)
6. The reduction of melatonin and serotonin production due to decrease in tryptophan utilization and which causes dysfunctional pain processing
7. Impaired neuroplasticity

It’s the impaired neuroplasticity that caught my eye on this one.  I have no idea what that means.  On the surface it sounds like brain hardening, but somehow that doesn’t sound very professional.  So neuroplasticity is the next adventure in this quest.  Is it a thing?  What sort of thing?  How is it connected to fibromyalgia?  Is it a corner piece of the puzzle or just another sky piece?