The brain structure and function alterations in tension-type headache: A protocol for systematic review and meta...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Tension-type headache (TTH) is a prevalent primary headache disorder.
• Understanding TTH pathophysiology remains incomplete.
• Neuroimaging has the potential to elucidate TTH mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze existing neuroimaging studies on TTH.
• To improve the understanding of brain alterations in TTH.
• To identify directions for future neuroimaging research in TTH.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search across multiple databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, Chinese databases) and registries.
• Systematic screening, data extraction, and quality assessment by two independent reviewers.
• Meta-analysis using anisotropic effect-size version of signed differential mapping for structural and functional brain alterations.

Main Results:

• The meta-analysis will identify consistent structural and functional brain changes in TTH patients.
• Specific brain regions and networks implicated in TTH pathophysiology will be highlighted.
• The review will synthesize findings to provide a clearer picture of TTH neurobiology.

Conclusions:

• This systematic review and meta-analysis will consolidate current neuroimaging evidence for TTH.
• Findings will contribute to a better understanding of TTH pathophysiology.
• The study will propose critical avenues for future neuroimaging investigations in TTH.