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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
10:39
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
The pathology of migraine
1Division of Neurology, Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, La Jolla, CA 92037.
The Clinical Journal of Pain
|September 1, 1990
Summary
Migraine involves temporary changes in cerebral blood flow, with reduced flow during aura and increased flow during headache. This vascular headache disorder
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Migraine is increasingly understood as a disorder of cerebral hemodynamics.
- The classical theory of migraine is insufficient to explain its complex pathophysiology.
- Cerebral blood flow regulation is influenced by multiple neurogenic, chemical, metabolic, and myogenic factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the current understanding of migraine pathophysiology.
- To highlight the role of cerebral blood flow alterations in migraine.
- To discuss the limitations of current diagnostic approaches for migraine.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing evidence on cerebral blood flow regulation in migraine.
- Analysis of the temporal relationship between blood flow changes and migraine phases.
- Consideration of multifactorial influences on cerebral hemodynamics during migraine.
Main Results:
- Migraine aura is associated with reduced, often hemispheric, cerebral blood flow.
- Cerebral hyperperfusion may occur during the headache phase of migraine.
- Changes in cerebral blood flow do not consistently correlate with patient symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Migraine represents a temporary disruption of normal cerebral hemodynamics.
- Current diagnostic labels for migraine and vascular headaches are primarily descriptive.
- The definitive pathology of migraine requires further investigation.
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