This pattern of FA and MD measurements may imply a reduction in projections and density of neural fibers in these regions, which may be due to chronic engagement of the pain circuitry. Based on the existing evidence that improvements in brain structure can occur following successful interventions and/or symptom relief, it is more likely that the microstructural changes observed here are a consequences of altered input from the periphery, and less likely due to pre-existing vulnerability factors at the CNS level[57; 52; 64].