Evaluation of structural changes in orbitofrontal cortex in relation to medication overuse in migraine patients: a
Aygul Tantik Pak1, Sebahat Nacar Dogan2, Yildizhan Sengul1
1Gaziosmanpasa Training and Research Hospital, Department of Neurology, Istanbul, Turkey.
Arquivos De Neuro-Psiquiatria
|July 28, 2021
Summary
Medication overuse headache (MOH) is linked to microstructural changes in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) of migraine patients. Diffusion tensor imaging revealed significant differences in OFC fractional anisotropy between groups with and without MOH.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Migraine is a common neurological disorder causing severe headaches.
- Medication overuse headache (MOH) is frequently associated with migraine.
- The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is implicated in medication overuse.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate microstructural alterations in the OFC of migraine patients with MOH.
- Utilizing diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to assess OFC changes.
Main Methods:
- Included 58 migraine patients classified by MOH status (ICHD-III-B criteria).
- Applied DTI to analyze fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the OFC.
- Compared OFC DTI metrics between patients with and without MOH.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in age, gender, or migraine characteristics between groups.
- Found a significant difference in left OFC fractional anisotropy (FA) between migraine patients with and without MOH (p=0.04).
Conclusions:
- Microstructural changes in the OFC are associated with MOH in migraine patients.
- Identifying neuropathology and risk factors for MOH is vital for targeted treatment strategies.
