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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Cerebral and cerebellar ADC values during a migraine attack
Bumin Degirmenci1, Mehmet Yaman, Alpay Haktanir
1Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kocatepe, Afyon 03200, Turkey. bdegirmenci@aku.edu.tr
Diffusion-weighted MRI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values show no significant differences in brain areas during migraine attacks. However, hyperintense lesions are more common in migraine patients, particularly those with aura.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Migraine is a common neurological disorder.
- Conventional MRI and diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) are used to study brain changes.
- Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values provide insights into tissue microstructure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate diffusion-weighted MRI changes and ADC values in specific brain areas during migraine attacks.
- To compare MRI findings between patients with migraine with aura and migraine without aura, and healthy controls.
- To evaluate the frequency of hyperintense lesions in migraine patients.
Main Methods:
- 22 migraine patients (13 with aura, 9 without aura) and 18 healthy controls underwent MRI.
- Conventional MRI, heavily diffusion-weighted images, and ADC maps were acquired.
- Regional ADC (rADC) values were measured in specific brain areas using regions of interest (ROIs).
Main Results:
- 23 hyperintense lesions were found in 5 migraine patients (21.8%), all in the migraine with aura group.
- Only one hyperintense lesion showed increased diffusion on DW-MRI and ADC maps.
- No significant difference in ADC values was observed between migraine patients and controls.
Conclusions:
- T2-weighted hyperintense lesions are more frequent in migraine patients, especially those with aura.
- No diffusion alterations were detected in infra- and supratentorial brain areas during migraine attacks.
- DW-MRI and ADC values do not appear to be significantly altered during migraine attacks in the studied brain regions.
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