Thalamo-cortical network activity between migraine attacks: Insights from MRI-based microstructural and functional...

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Neuroscience
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Resting state functional MRI (fMRI) enables the study of brain network connectivity.
• Migraine without aura (MO) is a neurological condition affecting brain function.
• Understanding interictal pathophysiology is crucial for migraine management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate functional connectivity between brain networks at rest in MO patients between attacks.
• To examine the relationship between resting-state brain network connectivity and thalamic microstructure in MO patients.

Main Methods:

• 18 untreated MO patients and 19 healthy volunteers (HV) underwent 3T MRI scans.
• Group independent component (IC) analysis identified two resting-state networks.
• Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values of bilateral thalami were correlated with IC Z-scores.

Main Results:

• MO patients exhibited reduced functional connectivity between the default mode network and the visuo-spatial system compared to HV.
• Negative correlation found between thalamic FA values and resting-state network connectivity (ICs Z-scores) in both groups.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first evidence linking abnormal resting-state network connectivity to altered thalamic microstructure in interictal migraine.
• These findings suggest a potential role for thalamic microstructure and network connectivity in the pathophysiology of migraine without aura.