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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Brain networks in migraine with and without aura: An exploratory arterial spin labeling MRI study
Seongho Park1, Dong Ah Lee1, Ho-Joon Lee2
1Department of Neurology, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
Objectives:
The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the underlying pathomechanisms of migraine with aura (MA) and migraine without aura (MO) in the interictal phase using a connectivity analysis.
Methods:
We prospectively enrolled patients who were newly diagnosed with migraine. All patients underwent brain MRI, including diffusion tensor imaging and arterial spin labeling perfusion MRI. We analyzed the differences between patients with MA and those with MO in structural connectivity based on diffusion tensor imaging and functional connectivity based on arterial spin labeling perfusion MRI using a graph theoretical analysis.
Results:
We enrolled 58 patients with migraine (11 patients with MA and 47 patients with MO). There were no differences between patients with MA and those with MO in the network measures of global structural connectivity. However, differences in global functional connectivity were found between the two groups. The assortative coefficient was lower in patients with MA than in those with MO (-0.050 vs. -0.012, p = .017). There were no differences in local structural and functional connectivity between patients with MA and those with MO.
Conclusion:
We found differences in global functional connectivity between patients with MO and those with MA. The study of MA and MO using a connectivity analysis may shed light on migraine pathophysiology. We suggest it is worthwhile to investigate if changes in functional connectivity may serve as novel biomarkers in MA. In this regard, ASL MRI appears to be valuable in the context of network analysis, but further studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Insights
Researchers found differences in global functional connectivity between migraine with aura (MA) and migraine without aura (MO) patients. This connectivity analysis may reveal new biomarkers for MA, highlighting the value of ASL MRI in network analysis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Neurology
Background:
- Migraine with aura (MA) and migraine without aura (MO) are distinct subtypes with incompletely understood pathophysiology.
- Interictal phase connectivity analysis offers a novel approach to differentiate these migraine types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in brain connectivity between MA and MO patients during the interictal phase.
- To explore the potential of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI in identifying migraine subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Prospective enrollment of newly diagnosed migraine patients.
- Brain MRI including DTI and ASL perfusion MRI.
- Graph theoretical analysis to compare structural and functional connectivity between MA and MO groups.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in global structural connectivity between MA and MO groups.
- Significant differences in global functional connectivity, specifically the assortative coefficient, were observed (MA vs. MO: -0.050 vs. -0.012, p=0.017).
- No differences found in local structural or functional connectivity.
Conclusions:
- Global functional connectivity differs between MO and MA patients.
- Connectivity analysis, particularly using ASL MRI, shows promise for understanding migraine pathophysiology and identifying potential biomarkers for MA.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and their clinical implications.
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