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Updated: Mar 14, 2026
Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research
Published on: January 5, 2024
Altered functional connectivity of the marginal division in migraine: a resting-state fMRI study
Zhiye Chen1,2, Xiaoyan Chen2, Mengqi Liu1
1Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
Background:
The marginal division of neostriatum (MrD) is a flat, pan-shaped zone between the neostriatum and the globus pallidus, and previous documents demonstrated that it was involved in the modulation of pain. The aim of this study is to investigate the roles of the MrD of the human brain in the chronicization migraine using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI).
Methods:
Conventional MRI, 3D structure images, and rs-fMRI were performed in 18 patients with episodic migraines (EM), 16 patients with chronic migraine (CM), 44 patients with medication overuse headache plus chronic migraine (MOH + CM), and 32 normal controls (NC). MrD was defined using manual delineation on structural images, and was selected as the seed to calculate the functional connectivity (FC).
Results:
Compared with the NC group, the decreased FC of MrD was observed in the EM and CM groups, and increased FC of MrD was demonstrated in all patient groups. Compared with the EM group, the decreased FC of MrD was revealed in the CM and MOH + CM groups, and the increased FC occurred only in the CM group. Increased FC of MrD alone was observed in the MOH + CM group compared with that in the CM group.
Conclusion:
This study confirmed the double neuromodulation network of MrD in pain modulation and migraine chronicization; however, the mechanism requires further investigation.
Insights
The marginal division of neostriatum (MrD) plays a role in migraine chronification. This study found altered functional connectivity in the MrD in migraine patients, suggesting a neuromodulatory network involved in pain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Neurology
Background:
- The marginal division of the neostriatum (MrD) is a brain region implicated in pain modulation.
- Understanding the MrD's role in migraine chronification is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional connectivity (FC) of the MrD in patients with episodic migraine (EM), chronic migraine (CM), and medication overuse headache plus chronic migraine (MOH+CM) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI).
Main Methods:
- rs-fMRI data were acquired from 18 EM, 16 CM, 44 MOH+CM patients, and 32 normal controls (NC).
- The MrD was manually delineated on structural MRI and used as a seed region for FC analysis.
Main Results:
- Decreased MrD FC was observed in EM and CM patients compared to NC.
- Increased MrD FC was found in all patient groups compared to NC.
- CM and MOH+CM groups showed decreased MrD FC compared to EM.
- MOH+CM patients exhibited increased MrD FC compared to CM patients.
Conclusions:
- The MrD is involved in a double neuromodulation network influencing pain and migraine chronification.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying the MrD's role in migraine.
