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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Interictal brain activity differs in migraine with and without aura: resting state fMRI study
Péter Faragó1, Bernadett Tuka1,2, Eszter Tóth1
1Department of Neurology, Neuroimaging Research Group, Albert Szent-Györgyi, Clinical Center, University of Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725, Szeged, Hungary.
Background:
Migraine is one of the most severe primary headache disorders. The nature of the headache and the associated symptoms during the attack suggest underlying functional alterations in the brain. In this study, we examined amplitude, the resting state fMRI fluctuation in migraineurs with and without aura (MWA, MWoA respectively) and healthy controls.
Methods:
Resting state functional MRI images and T1 high-resolution images were acquired from all participants. For data analysis we compared the groups (MWA-Control, MWA-MWoA, MWoA-Control). The resting state networks were identified by MELODIC. The mean time courses of the networks were identified for each participant for all networks. The time-courses were decomposed into five frequency bands by discrete wavelet decomposition. The amplitude of the frequency-specific activity was compared between groups. Furthermore, the preprocessed resting state images were decomposed by wavelet analysis into five specific frequency bands voxel-wise. The voxel-wise amplitudes were compared between groups by non-parametric permutation test.
Results:
In the MWA-Control comparison the discrete wavelet decomposition found alterations in the lateral visual network. Higher activity was measured in the MWA group in the highest frequency band (0.16-0.08 Hz). In case of the MWA-MWoA comparison all networks showed higher activity in the 0.08-0.04 Hz frequency range in MWA, and the lateral visual network in in higher frequencies. In MWoA-Control comparison only the default mode network revealed decreased activity in MWoA group in the 0.08-0.04 Hz band. The voxel-wise frequency specific analysis of the amplitudes found higher amplitudes in MWA as compared to MWoA in the in fronto-parietal regions, anterior cingulate cortex and cerebellum.
Discussion:
The amplitude of the resting state fMRI activity fluctuation is higher in MWA than in MWoA. These results are in concordance with former studies, which found cortical hyperexcitability in MWA.
Insights
Migraine with aura (MWA) exhibits higher resting-state fMRI activity amplitude compared to migraine without aura (MWoA), suggesting cortical hyperexcitability in MWA patients. This difference was observed across various brain networks and frequencies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Brain Function
Background:
- Migraine is a severe primary headache disorder.
- Symptoms suggest underlying functional brain alterations.
- This study investigates resting-state fMRI activity in migraineurs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine resting-state fMRI amplitude fluctuations in migraineurs with and without aura (MWA, MWoA) compared to healthy controls.
- To identify differences in brain network activity across various frequency bands.
- To explore potential correlations between activity patterns and migraine subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Acquired resting-state fMRI and T1 high-resolution images from participants.
- Utilized MELODIC for resting state network identification.
- Applied discrete wavelet decomposition to analyze frequency-specific activity amplitudes.
Main Results:
- Migraine with aura (MWA) showed higher activity in the lateral visual network compared to controls.
- MWA exhibited increased activity across networks at 0.08-0.04 Hz and higher frequencies compared to MWoA.
- MWoA displayed decreased default mode network activity at 0.08-0.04 Hz compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Resting-state fMRI activity amplitude is elevated in MWA compared to MWoA.
- Findings support previous research indicating cortical hyperexcitability in MWA.
- The study highlights distinct functional brain alterations between migraine subtypes.

