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Blink Reflex in Episodic and Chronic Migraine
Burcu Polat1, Fikret Aysal1, Musa Öztürk2
1Department of Neurology, İstanbul Medipol University, İstanbul, Turkey.
Noro Psikiyatri Arsivi
|July 31, 2018
Summary
Migraine patients show increased blink reflex recovery, suggesting reduced central inhibitory mechanisms between attacks. This indicates altered brain excitability in both episodic and chronic migraine sufferers.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Neurology
- Pain Research
Background:
- Migraine pathophysiology involves trigeminovascular system activation and trigeminal nuclei sensitization.
- Investigating blink reflex (BR) and its recovery offers insights into migraine mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate blink reflex (BR) recovery in episodic and chronic migraine patients.
- To compare BR recovery between migraineurs and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Blink reflex assessments were conducted on 28 chronic migraine patients, 32 episodic migraine without aura patients, and 30 healthy controls.
- A portable electromyography device with specialized software was used for BR testing.
- The 'standard method - double stimulation' technique was applied at various interstimulus intervals (ISIs) during pain-free periods.
Main Results:
- Blink reflex recovery was significantly increased in both migraine groups compared to controls at a 200 ms ISI.
- Elevated recovery was observed in chronic migraine patients at 2000 ms (right) and 5000 ms (left) ISIs.
- Episodic migraine patients showed increased recovery at 500 ms and 1000 ms ISIs on the left side.
- Increased R2 recovery curves in patient groups suggest heightened trigeminal structure sensitization.
- Significantly increased recovery at low ISIs suggests distinct ictal and interictal brain excitability periods in migraine.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest reduced central inhibitory mechanisms during the interictal period in migraine patients.
- The results align with previous studies indicating altered neural excitability in migraine.
- Blink reflex recovery patterns may serve as a biomarker for migraine pathophysiology.
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