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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Neuroimaging in chronic migraine.
Luisa Chiapparini1, Stefania Ferraro, Licia Grazzi
1Department of Neuroradiology, Foundation IRCCS Neurological Institute Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy. lchiapparini@istituto-besta.it
Neuroimaging reveals structural and functional brain changes in chronic migraine patients, particularly in pain processing areas. These alterations appear reversible after drug withdrawal, suggesting a basis for migraine subtypes and treatment responses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Pain Research
Background:
- Chronic migraine is associated with neuroimaging-detected abnormalities in pain processing brain regions.
- Structural and functional dysfunctions occur in the brainstem and pain pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review neuroimaging findings in chronic migraine.
- To explore the role of structural and functional brain alterations in chronic migraine pathophysiology.
Main Methods:
- Volumetric MRI (voxel-based morphometry) to assess grey and white matter.
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and functional MRI (fMRI) to evaluate regional cerebral blood flow and BOLD signal changes.
Main Results:
- Reduced grey and white matter in pain network areas and increased brainstem density observed.
- Hypometabolism and hypoactivation in cortical pain processing areas detected in chronic migraine with drug overuse.
- Normalization of metabolic and BOLD signal changes after drug withdrawal indicates reversibility.
Conclusions:
- Functional and structural alterations in the pain network may result from cortical overstimulation.
- Advanced neuroimaging advances understanding of chronic migraine, potentially explaining subtypes and treatment variability.

