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Updated: Mar 6, 2026
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Disrupted functional connectivity of periaqueductal gray subregions in episodic migraine
Zhiye Chen1,2,3, Xiaoyan Chen2, Mengqi Liu1,3
1Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, China.
Background:
The periaqueductal gray (PAG) dysfunction was recognized in migraine, and the altered dysfunction of PAG subregions were not totally detected up to now. The aim of this study is to investigate the altered functional connectivity of PAG subregions in EM patients.
Methods:
The brain structural images and resting state functional MR imaging (rs-fMRI) data were obtained from 18 normal controls (NC) and 18 EM patients on 3.0 T MR system. Seven subregions of PAG were classified as bilateral ventrolateral PAG (vlPAG), lateral PAG (lPAG), dorsolateral PAG (dlPAG) and dorsomedial PAG (dmPAG). The functional connectivity maps of each PAG subregion were calculated, and Two sample t-test was applied with age and sex as covariables.
Results:
Bilateral vlPAG and left dlPAG presented decreased functional connectivity, and the other subregions (bilateral lPAGs, right dlPAG and dmPAG) showed no significant altered functional connectivity in EM compared with NC. The brain regions with decreased functional connectivity mainly located in bilateral prefrontal cortex(PFC), middle temporal gyrus, primary motor area (PMA) and supplementary motor area (SMA) and right ventrolateral PFC (vlPFC) in EM patients in this study. Disease duration was positively related to the functional connectivity of bilateral vlPAG on the bilateral thalamus and putamen, left pallidum and right medial orbitofrontal gyrus in EM patients.
Conclusion:
The present study suggested that the dysfunction of bilateral vlPAG and left dlPAG presented in EM, and functional evaluation of PAG subregions may be help for the diagnosis and understanding of EM pathogenesis.
Insights
Migraine patients show reduced functional connectivity in specific periaqueductal gray (PAG) subregions, particularly the ventrolateral PAG (vlPAG) and dorsolateral PAG (dlPAG). This dysfunction may aid in understanding migraine pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Functional MRI
- Migraine Pathophysiology
Background:
- Periaqueductal gray (PAG) dysfunction is implicated in migraine.
- Specific alterations in PAG subregion connectivity remain unclear.
- This study investigates functional connectivity changes in PAG subregions in episodic migraine (EM).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate altered functional connectivity of PAG subregions in EM patients.
- To identify specific PAG subregions involved in EM pathophysiology.
- To explore potential diagnostic markers for EM.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) and structural imaging were used.
- Eighteen EM patients and 18 healthy controls (NC) were scanned on a 3.0T MR system.
- Functional connectivity of seven PAG subregions was analyzed using Two sample t-tests.
Main Results:
- Bilateral ventrolateral PAG (vlPAG) and left dorsolateral PAG (dlPAG) showed decreased functional connectivity in EM patients compared to NC.
- Connectivity changes were observed in prefrontal cortex (PFC), motor areas, and temporal gyrus.
- Disease duration correlated positively with connectivity in vlPAG and specific subcortical/cortical regions.
Conclusions:
- EM is associated with dysfunction in bilateral vlPAG and left dlPAG.
- Functional evaluation of PAG subregions offers insights into EM pathogenesis.
- These findings may contribute to improved diagnosis and understanding of EM.
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