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.

Abstract

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.

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