The largest genetic study of fibromyalgia has found 26 regions of DNA linked to the chronic pain condition, according to research published in Nature Medicine.

The study analysed 2.5 million people, including 54,629 with fibromyalgia. The strongest signal was in the HTT gene, better known for its role in Huntington’s disease.

The genetic risk was concentrated in brain tissue, supporting the idea that fibromyalgia is driven by how the brain processes pain rather than by damage in the body.

Lead researcher Frances Williams said the findings could help end the stigma around the condition, which is often dismissed because it has no visible cause.

Fibromyalgia affects millions of people worldwide, causing widespread pain, fatigue and sleep problems. The researchers say the results point toward new treatment targets.

There is no cure for fibromyalgia, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms through exercise, therapy and medication. Genetic clues could eventually lead to drugs that target the condition’s root causes.