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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Brain gray matter changes in migraine patients with T2-visible lesions: a 3-T MRI study
Maria A Rocca1, Antonia Ceccarelli, Andrea Falini
1Neuroimaging Research Unit, Scientific Institute and University Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
Background And Purpose:
In migraine patients, functional imaging studies have shown changes in several brain gray matter (GM) regions. However, 1.5-T MRI has failed to detect any structural abnormality of these regions. We used a 3-T MRI scanner and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to assess whether GM density abnormalities can be seen in patients with migraine with T2-visible abnormalities and to grade their extent.
Methods:
In 16 migraine patients with T2-visible abnormalities and 15 matched controls, we acquired a T2-weighted and a high-resolution T1-weighted sequence. Lesion loads were measured on T2-weighted images. An optimized version of VBM analysis was used to assess regional differences in GM densities on T1-weighted scans of patients versus controls. Statistical parametric maps were thresholded at P<0.001, uncorrected for multiple comparisons.
Results:
Compared with controls, migraine patients had areas of reduced GM density, mainly located in the frontal and temporal lobes. Conversely, patients showed increased periacqueductal GM (PAG) density. Compared with patients without aura, migraine patients with aura had increased density of the PAG and of the dorsolateral pons. In migraine patients, reduced GM density was strongly related to age, disease duration, and T2-visible lesion load (r ranging from -0.84 to -0.73).
Conclusions:
Structural GM abnormalities can be detected in migraine patients with brain T2-visible lesions using VBM and a high-field MRI scanner. Such GM changes comprise areas with reduced and increased density and are likely related to the pathological substrates associated with this disease.
Insights
This study used 3-T MRI and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to detect gray matter (GM) changes in migraine patients with T2-visible lesions. Researchers found reduced GM density in frontal and temporal lobes and increased density in the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG).
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Functional imaging reveals gray matter (GM) changes in migraine.
- Previous 1.5-T MRI studies failed to detect structural abnormalities.
- Migraine patients with T2-visible lesions may exhibit distinct GM alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess GM density abnormalities in migraine patients with T2-visible lesions using 3-T MRI and VBM.
- To determine the extent of these GM density changes.
- To correlate GM changes with clinical and imaging parameters.
Main Methods:
- Acquisition of T2-weighted and high-resolution T1-weighted MRI sequences.
- Measurement of lesion loads on T2-weighted images.
- Optimized voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis to compare GM density between 16 migraine patients and 15 controls.
Main Results:
- Migraine patients showed reduced GM density in frontal and temporal lobes compared to controls.
- Increased GM density was observed in the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) in patients.
- In patients with aura, increased PAG and dorsolateral pons density was noted.
- Reduced GM density correlated with age, disease duration, and T2 lesion load (r = -0.84 to -0.73).
Conclusions:
- 3-T MRI and VBM can detect structural GM abnormalities in migraine patients with T2-visible lesions.
- These abnormalities include both reduced and increased GM density.
- GM changes are likely linked to the underlying pathology of migraine.
