Malate to detect and as a target for fibromyalgia

A method to distinguish pain resulting from fibromyalgia from other disorders, comprising:

• providing an amount of malate or fumarate in a physiological sample from a mammal having pain;
• and
• determining whether the amount of malate in the sample is reduced relative to the amount of malate in a corresponding mammal that does not have fibromyalgia, wherein decreased levels of malate in the mammal having pain is indicative that the mammal has pain due to fibromyalgia.

A method of monitoring fibromyalgia progression or severity in a mammal, comprising:

• providing an amount of malate in a physiological sample from a mammal having fibromyalgia over time;
• and
• determining the amount of malate over time in the mammal having fibromyalgia, wherein a decrease over time is indicative of progression or of an increase in severity of fibromyalgia.

A method of inhibiting or treating pain in a mammal, comprising:

• determining whether a mammal with pain has decreased malate levels relative to a control;
• administering to the mammal having pain and decreased levels of malate an effective amount of duloxetine, amitriptyline, pregabalin, trazodone, meloxicam, gualfenesin, topamax, armodafinil, prednisone, milnacipran, topiramate, escitalopram, naltrexone, venlafaxine, metaxalone, fluoxetine, sodium oxybate, atomoxetine, desvenlafaxine, Desyrel dividose, topiragen or metaxail.

A method, comprising:

• determining whether a mammal has decreased malate levels relative to a corresponding control mammal;
• and
• administering to a mammal having decreased malate levels an amount of Lyrica, Cymbalta, gabapentin, savella, tramadol, cyclobenzaprine, duloxetine, milnacipran, amitriptyline, pregabalin, trazodone, meloxicam, gualfenesil, topamax, armodafinil, dresaryl, nabilone, prednisone, topiramate, escitalopram, naltrexone, venlafaxine, metaxalone, fluoxetine, sodium oxybate, atomoxetine, desvenlafaxine, Desyrel dividose, topiragen or metaxail.