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Updated: Dec 23, 2025
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Brain morphologic abnormalities in migraine patients: an observational study
Lilla Bonanno1, Viviana Lo Buono2, Simona De Salvo1
1IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", S.S. 113, Via Palermo, C. da Casazza, 98124, Messina, Italy.
Background:
Migraine is a common neurological disorder characterized by a complex physiopathology. We assessed brain morphologic differences in migraine and the possible pathogenetic mechanism underlying this disease.
Methods:
We analyzed brain morphologic images of migraine patients, 14 with aura (MwA) [the mean (SD) age was 42.36 (2.95) years (range, 37-47)] and 14 without aura (MwoA) [the mean (SD) age was 43.5 (3.25) years (range, 39-50)] during episodic attack compared with health subjects balanced (HS) [the mean (SD) age was 42.5 (5.17) years (range, 34-51)]. All subjects underwent a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examination with a scanner operating at 3.0 T and voxel based morphometry (VBM) approach was used to examine the gray matter volume (GMV). The statistical analysis to compare clinicl characteristics was performed using unpaired t-test an one-way Anova.
Results:
Total cerebral GMV showed a significant difference between MwA and HS (p = 0.02), and between MwoA and HS (p = 0.003). In addition, not significative differences were found between MwA and MwoA groups (p = 0.17). We found three clusters of regions which showed significant GMV reduction in MwA compared with MwoA. MwA subjects showed a less of GMV in 4 clusters if compared with HS, and MwoA subjects showed a less of GMV in 3 clusters if compared with HS. We observed that MwA and MwoA patients had a significant reduction of GMV in the frontal and temporal lobe and the cerebellum, if compared to HS. The bilateral fusiform gyrus and the cingulate gyrus were increase in MwoA patients compared with HS.
Conclusion:
Our findings could provide a approach to understand possible differences in the pathogenesis of two type of migraine.
Insights
Brain imaging reveals significant gray matter volume differences in migraine patients compared to healthy individuals. These findings in migraine with aura and without aura may help understand migraine pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder with complex underlying pathophysiology.
- Understanding brain morphologic differences is crucial for elucidating migraine mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess brain morphologic differences in migraine patients with and without aura compared to healthy subjects.
- To investigate potential pathogenetic mechanisms underlying different migraine types.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at 3.0 Tesla was used to analyze brain morphologic images.
- Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) assessed gray matter volume (GMV) in 14 migraine with aura (MwA), 14 migraine without aura (MwoA), and healthy subjects (HS).
- Statistical comparisons included unpaired t-tests and one-way ANOVA.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in total cerebral GMV were observed between MwA and HS (p=0.02), and MwoA and HS (p=0.003).
- No significant GMV differences were found between MwA and MwoA groups (p=0.17).
- MwA and MwoA patients showed reduced GMV in the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, and cerebellum compared to HS. MwoA patients had increased GMV in the bilateral fusiform gyrus and cingulate gyrus compared to HS.
Conclusions:
- The study identified distinct brain morphologic patterns in migraine with and without aura.
- Findings suggest potential differences in the pathogenesis of these two migraine types.
- These insights may contribute to a better understanding of migraine mechanisms.
