Magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies in migraine

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Medical Imaging
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Migraine is a complex neurological disorder with underlying metabolic alterations.
• Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) offers a non-invasive method to investigate brain metabolism in vivo.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize the major findings and recent advances in the application of MRS to the study of migraine.
• To consolidate the current understanding of metabolic changes in the migraine brain as detected by MRS.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science for studies on MRS and migraine.
• Inclusion criteria focused on original research involving human brain MRS in migraine patients, resulting in the analysis of 56 studies.

Main Results:

• Consistent findings across studies include decreased N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) in the cerebellum (hemiplegic migraine) and thalamus (chronic migraine).
• Increased lactate (Lac) was observed in the occipital cortex of migraine with aura patients.
• Evidence suggests impaired energetics, mitochondrial dysfunction, and potential neurotransmitter imbalances (GABA, Glu) in migraineurs.

Conclusions:

• MRS studies provide evidence supporting impaired brain energetics and mitochondrial dysfunction in migraine.
• Metabolic alterations detected by MRS highlight specific neurochemical changes in different migraine subtypes.
• Further research is needed to explore the diagnostic potential of advanced MRS techniques, such as sodium imaging.