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Published on: September 12, 2011
White matter microstructure abnormalities in pediatric migraine patients
Roberta Messina1, Maria A Rocca1, Bruno Colombo2
1Neuroimaging Research Unit, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy Department of Neurology, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
Background:
Diffusion tensor (DT) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides several quantities with the potential to disclose white matter (WM) microstructural abnormalities. We explored alterations of WM architecture in pediatric migraine patients using DT MRI and two different methods of analysis.
Methods:
Dual-echo and DT MRI scans were acquired from 15 pediatric migraine patients and 15 age-matched controls. Whole-brain voxel-wise comparisons of WM DT MRI abnormalities were performed using tract-based-spatial-statistics (TBSS). A DT probabilistic tractography analysis was also run.
Results:
Both TBSS and DT tractography analysis showed that, compared to controls, pediatric migraine patients had significant lower mean (MD), axial (AD) and radial (RD) diffusivity of WM tracts located in the brainstem, thalamus and fronto-temporo-occipital lobes, bilaterally. Patients also experienced increased fractional anisotropy (FA) of the optic radiations. No correlation was found between WM tract abnormalities and disease duration and attack frequency.
Conclusions:
Pediatric migraine patients harbor diffuse brain WM microstructural abnormalities. High FA and low MD, AD and RD in these patients might be explained by repeated neuronal activation, which may lead to cell swelling and stimulate activity-dependent myelin-modulation, or by increased fiber and dendritic densities. Both these mechanisms might reflect a hyperexcitability of the brain in migraineurs.
Insights
Pediatric migraine patients show widespread white matter (WM) microstructural abnormalities, indicated by altered diffusivity and anisotropy. These changes may suggest underlying brain hyperexcitability in young migraineurs.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- White Matter Microstructure
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Diffusion tensor (DT) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers insights into white matter (WM) microstructural integrity.
- Pediatric migraine is associated with potential neurological alterations that warrant investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate WM microstructural abnormalities in pediatric migraine patients.
- To compare DT MRI findings between migraine patients and age-matched controls using two analytical methods.
Main Methods:
- Acquisition of dual-echo and DT MRI scans from 15 pediatric migraine patients and 15 controls.
- Whole-brain voxel-wise analysis using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS).
- DT probabilistic tractography analysis was also performed.
Main Results:
- Pediatric migraine patients exhibited significantly lower mean (MD), axial (AD), and radial (RD) diffusivity in multiple WM tracts compared to controls.
- Increased fractional anisotropy (FA) was observed in the optic radiations of patients.
- No correlation was found between WM abnormalities and migraine disease duration or attack frequency.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric migraine patients present with diffuse WM microstructural abnormalities.
- Altered diffusivity and anisotropy may indicate neuronal activation, myelin modulation, or increased neural densities.
- These findings suggest potential brain hyperexcitability in pediatric migraineurs.
