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Published on: June 2, 2014
Abnormally Increased Effective Connectivity of the Periaqueductal Gray in Migraine Without Aura Patients
Kun Liu1, Jinming Cheng2, Yungang Cao3
1Department of Radiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang.
Objectives:
The periaqueductal gray (PAG) is a key region in the descending pain modulatory system. We applied a Granger causality analysis-based approach to examine resting-state effective connectivity of the bilateral PAG regions in migraine patients without aura (MwoA).
Materials And Methods:
Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were obtained from 28 MwoA patients and 17 healthy controls. The effective connectivity of the bilateral PAG was characterized using a voxel-wised Granger causality analysis method. The resulting effective connectivity measurements were assessed for correlations with other clinical features.
Results:
Compared with the healthy controls, MwoA patients showed increased effective connectivity from the left PAG to the left anterior cingulate gyrus and right postcentral gyrus. Meanwhile, MwoA patients also showed increased effective connectivity from the right PAG to the left precentral gyrus and increased effective connectivity from the left caudate and right middle occipital gyrus to the right PAG.
Discussion:
Abnormally increased effective connectivity between PAG and limbic system, primary sensorimotor cortex, and visual cortex may play a key role in neuropathological features, perception, and affection of MwoA. The current study provides further insights into the complex scenario of MwoA mechanisms.
Insights
Migraine patients without aura (MwoA) exhibit altered brain connectivity in the periaqueductal gray (PAG). This study reveals increased PAG effective connectivity, offering insights into migraine mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Pain Research
Background:
- The periaqueductal gray (PAG) is integral to pain modulation.
- Migraine without aura (MwoA) involves complex neurological pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate resting-state effective connectivity of the PAG in MwoA patients.
- To identify differences in PAG connectivity between MwoA patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Applied Granger causality analysis to resting-state fMRI data.
- Analyzed data from 28 MwoA patients and 17 healthy controls.
- Correlated connectivity findings with clinical features.
Main Results:
- MwoA patients showed increased effective connectivity from the left PAG to the anterior cingulate gyrus and postcentral gyrus.
- Increased effective connectivity was observed from the right PAG to the precentral gyrus in MwoA patients.
- Connectivity alterations also noted from the caudate and middle occipital gyrus to the right PAG.
Conclusions:
- Abnormal PAG connectivity with limbic, sensorimotor, and visual cortices may underlie MwoA neuropathology.
- Findings enhance understanding of MwoA's complex mechanisms.
