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Published on: June 2, 2014
Atypical age-related cortical thinning in episodic migraine
Catherine D Chong1, David W Dodick1, Bradley L Schlaggar2
1Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Background:
Prior studies demonstrate reduced cortical thickness and volume in migraineurs. However, the effect of age on cortical thickness has not been assessed in migraineurs. In this study we investigated whether the process of aging on cortical thickness affects migraineurs differently compared to age-matched healthy controls, i.e. whether aging exacerbates cortical thinning in migraineurs.
Methods:
Cortical thickness was estimated using a general linear model vertex-by-vertex approach for 32 healthy controls (mean age=35.3 years; SD=11.6) and 27 episodic migraine patients (mean age=33.6 years; SD=12.3). Results were modeled using a main effect analysis to estimate the effect of age on cortical thickness for each group separately, and an age-by-group analysis to estimate differences in age-related cortical thinning between migraine patients and normal controls.
Results:
Although migraineurs and normal controls both have expected age-related thinning in many regions along the cortical mantle, migraineurs have age-related thinning of regions that do not thin in healthy controls, including: bilateral postcentral, right fusiform, and right temporal pole areas. Cortical thinning of these regions is more prominent with advancing age.
Conclusion:
Results suggest that migraine is associated with atypical cortical aging, suggesting that the migraine disease process interacts with aging to affect cortical integrity.
Insights
Migraine patients exhibit accelerated cortical thinning in specific brain regions compared to healthy individuals, indicating that migraine disease interacts with aging to impact brain structure. This atypical cortical aging is more pronounced with advancing age.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Brain Imaging
- Aging Research
Background:
- Previous research indicates reduced cortical thickness and volume in individuals with migraine.
- The impact of aging on cortical thickness in migraineurs has not been previously investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if aging affects cortical thickness differently in migraineurs compared to age-matched healthy controls.
- To investigate whether aging exacerbates cortical thinning in migraineurs.
Main Methods:
- Cortical thickness was assessed using a vertex-by-vertex general linear model approach.
- Data were analyzed for 32 healthy controls and 27 episodic migraine patients.
- Main effect and age-by-group analyses were performed to compare age-related cortical thinning between groups.
Main Results:
- Both migraineurs and controls showed age-related cortical thinning in various regions.
- Migraineurs exhibited age-related thinning in additional regions, including bilateral postcentral, right fusiform, and right temporal pole areas, which did not thin in controls.
- This thinning in specific regions was more pronounced with increasing age in migraineurs.
Conclusions:
- Migraine is associated with atypical patterns of cortical aging.
- The migraine disease process appears to interact with aging, affecting cortical integrity.
- These findings highlight potential age-related differences in brain structure related to migraine.
