Structural Changes in the Cerebrum, Cerebellum and Corpus Callosum in Migraine Patients

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the relationship among the cerebrum, cerebellum and corpus callosum in migraine patients.

This work was conducted with cooperation of the Turgut Özal Medical Faculty, Department of Anatomy and Neurology. Migraine patients were divided into four groups: new patients; 1-5 years; 5-10 years; and, more than 10 years. All patients (n=75) and control subjects (n=20) underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and brain images were processed by ONIS and Image J. Data were analyzed using the planimetric method.

Cerebrum, cerebellum and corpus callosum volume were calculated for all subjects. The footprints of the callosum were as follows: healthy control subjects, new patients and 1-year patients: 12.8%, 5 years: 11.7% and more than 10 years: 10.7%. The cerebrum volume was as follows: healthy control subjects: 1152 cm3, 5-10 years: 1102 cm3 and more than 10 years: 1002 cm3.

The results of our study showed atrophy in the cerebrum, cerebellum and corpus callosum of chronic migraine patients. This atrophy was greater in the patients with aura migraines.

Our study confirmed that a migraine is an episodic disease that seriously affects the CNS.