Mission
The American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association (AFSA) has two missions:
- fund superior quality biomedical research on fibromyalgia
- educate patients about this serious, life-impacting disease
We are an all-volunteer 501(c)3 charity and have assisted people with fibromyalgia since 1994.
Research
AFSA is the nation’s only nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research to accelerate the pace of medical discoveries on fibromyalgia. We don’t just say we support research; we have been funding high-quality studies on this disease since 1995.
Our research grants (up to $85,000) enable scientists to collect the vital data needed to receive large sums of money from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or other agencies. In addition, most AFSA awards generate research papers in peer-reviewed medical journals. So, funding from AFSA accomplishes two goals: (1) expands research in targeted areas important for helping patients and (2) educates other scientists and treating physicians about advances in fibromyalgia.
Ideally, large government institutions like the NIH should fund more research on fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, fibromyalgia is not yet a high priority at the NIH.1 So, it’s up to AFSA to step up research on the causes of and treatments for fibromyalgia and make a difference in the lives of millions. See Research Priorities for more details on AFSA’s research-funding mission.
AFSA-Funded Projects
AFSA funded a total of six studies in the past two years (2004 and 2025). Here’s a brief description of each:
Cranial Electrical Stimulation (CES) for Treating Fibromyalgia – This study evaluates the effectiveness of CES to relieve fibromyalgia symptoms. It also uses brain imaging to determine how the device improves brain function.
Gut Microbiota and Response to Cannabis – This large-scale clinical trial of medical grade cannabis also looks at the influence of the gut bacteria (the microbiota) and symptoms. The goal is to develop a prediction tool (using gut composition and symptoms) to identify which patients are most likely to benefit from the drug.
Understanding Fibromyalgia Flares – This study examines changes in brain function and alterations in the immune system when patients experience symptom flares. The goal is to determine which mechanisms contribute to symptom exacerbations, as well as identify disease severity markers.
Neutrophils as a Biomarker – Neutrophils are the immune system’s front-line defense against pathogens, and they behave differently in fibromyalgia. This study looks at how neutrophils are altered and examines how these cells can be used as a diagnostic marker.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Trial – If only you could tune your brain to work the way it should. That’s the primary goal of this TMS treatment trial. It will also use brain imaging and immune system measurements to better understand how TMS works in fibromyalgia patients.
Cytokines & the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) – Immune reactive proteins in the blood (called cytokines) can impair the integrity of the BBB. This study examines the role of cytokines and a leaky BBB in fibromyalgia. This could be the starting point for developing new treatments that block cytokines.
Education
The average person with fibromyalgia struggles with this disease for five years before being diagnosed with it. In addition, studies show that diagnostic delays contribute to more severe lifelong symptoms.2 And once patients are handed this diagnosis, they are often told that there is little that can be done to relieve their painful and fatiguing symptoms. Not true.
A variety of treatment options are available to reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Learning about each approach (both pros and cons) places patients in the driver’s seat to open a dialog with their healthcare team. Some therapies are expensive, while the scientific evidence supporting others is flimsy. The point is, patients deserve to know what the medical literature says about the various treatment options for fibromyalgia.
Part of the battle of living with fibromyalgia is that it produces so many symptoms. Reading about research studies that help explain the symptoms is both validating and relieving to patients. The same holds true for reading about the possible causes of fibromyalgia, especially when it is based on published research studies and interviews with the lead investigators.
AFSA’s education mission cannot replace a patient’s doctor or other healthcare providers; that’s not possible. Fibromyalgia patients need to consult with their medical team for care. But in an era of the ten-minute office visit, the information on AFSA’s website can empower patients to make the most out of their healthcare appointments.
References for AFSA’s Mission
- NIH Report – Enter “Fibromyalgia” to get Research Funding for Fiscal Year 2023; See our article Fibromyalgia Research Update for a summary.
- Salaffi F, et al. Clin Exp Rheum 42(6):1198-1204, 2024. Free Report