Associations between cerebral and systemic endothelial function in migraine patients: a post-hoc study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Vascular Biology
• Endothelial Function

Background:

• Growing interest in the endothelium's role in migraine.
• Previous findings indicate differences in cerebral circulation endothelial function and unimpaired systemic endothelial function in migraine patients without comorbidities.
• The relationship between cerebral, systemic, and regional cerebral endothelial function in migraine remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare cerebral and systemic endothelial function in migraine patients without comorbidities and healthy subjects.
• To investigate the relationship between anterior and posterior cerebral circulation endothelial function.
• To elucidate endothelial function differences in migraine.

Main Methods:

• Linear regression analysis of cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) to L-arginine in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA).
• Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery was used to assess systemic endothelial function.
• Comparison of CVR to L-arginine between MCA and PCA for anterior and posterior cerebral endothelial function.

Main Results:

• No significant correlation between MCA/PCA CVR and brachial artery FMD in any group.
• Significant correlation found between MCA and PCA CVR in migraine patients (with and without aura) and healthy subjects.
• No difference in regression coefficient (slope) but a significant difference in curve elevation (intercept) between migraine patients and healthy subjects.

Conclusions:

• Endothelial function may differ between cerebral and systemic circulation in migraine patients without comorbidities.
• Anterior and posterior cerebral circulation endothelial function appears coupled in migraine patients.
• Findings enhance understanding of endothelial function in migraine pathophysiology.