Resting state connectivity between default mode network and insula encodes acute migraine headache
Gianluca Coppola1, Antonio Di Renzo1, Emanuele Tinelli2
11 G.B. Bietti Foundation IRCCS, Research Unit of Neurophysiology of Vision and Neurophthalmology, Rome, Italy.
Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|June 14, 2017
Summary
Migraine headaches show weaker connectivity between the default mode network (DMN) and the insula, unlike other chronic pain conditions. This DMN-insula connectivity strength inversely correlates with migraine pain intensity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Pain Neuroscience
- Neurology
Background:
- Previous functional MRI studies link chronic pain to default mode network (DMN) and insula connectivity.
- Acute migraine headaches represent a distinct pain state requiring investigation of DMN-insula interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate seed-based resting-state DMN-insula connectivity during acute migraine attacks.
- To compare DMN-insula connectivity in migraine patients versus healthy volunteers.
Main Methods:
- Thirteen migraine without aura patients (MI) and 19 healthy volunteers (HV) underwent 3T MRI scans.
- Seed-based resting-state fMRI data were acquired from DMN regions (MPFC, PCC, IPLs) and bilateral insula.
- Headache intensity was assessed using a visual analogue scale.
Main Results:
- Migraine patients exhibited stronger functional connectivity between MPFC and PCC, and between MPFC and bilateral insula compared to HV.
- A negative correlation was observed between MPFC-to-insula connectivity strength and headache intensity during migraine attacks.
Conclusions:
- Greater subjective pain intensity during acute migraine is associated with weaker DMN-insula connectivity.
- This finding contrasts with other chronic pain disorders and may characterize acute migraine head pain.
