Aura and Other Neurologic Dysfunction in or with Migraine

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Migraine is characterized by diverse neurological symptoms.
• Typical migraine aura symptoms are hypothesized to originate from cortical spreading depression (CSD).
• CSD is believed to trigger trigeminovascular pathways, leading to the headache phase.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the relationship between migraine aura and cortical spreading depression (CSD).
• To differentiate typical migraine aura from other transient neurological symptoms.
• To guide differential diagnosis in patients presenting with migraine-like headaches and neurological deficits.

Main Methods:

• Review of current scientific literature on migraine pathophysiology.
• Analysis of clinical data linking neurological symptoms to CSD.
• Comparison of features of typical aura with other transient neurological events.

Main Results:

• Evidence suggests a strong link between typical migraine aura and CSD.
• CSD can activate the trigeminovascular system, contributing to migraine headaches.
• Neurological symptoms inconsistent with typical aura warrant consideration of alternative diagnoses.

Conclusions:

• Cortical spreading depression is the likely mechanism for typical migraine aura.
• Trigeminal activation secondary to CSD contributes to migraine headache.
• Differential diagnosis is crucial when neurological symptoms deviate from classic migraine aura patterns.