Quantitative electroencephalography as a potential biomarker in migraine
Suk Jae Kim1, Kyungjin Yang2, Daeyoung Kim3
1Samsung Smart Neurology Clinic, Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea.
Brain and Behavior
|October 10, 2023
Summary
Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) shows distinct brainwave patterns in migraine patients, offering potential as a diagnostic biomarker and treatment response indicator. Further research is recommended for validation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomarkers
- Neurology
Background:
- Migraine is a complex neurological disorder with significant diagnostic and treatment challenges.
- Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) measures brain electrical activity, offering potential biomarkers for neurological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of QEEG in identifying migraine patients.
- To assess QEEG's role in monitoring treatment response in migraine.
Main Methods:
- QEEG absolute power in delta, theta, alpha, beta, and high beta bands was analyzed in 619 migraine patients and 101 controls.
- QEEG data was normalized against a normative dataset, with significant electrodes exceeding a z-score of 1.96.
- Clinical symptoms were monitored alongside QEEG changes during treatment.
Main Results:
- Migraine patients exhibited significantly higher absolute power across all frequencies, especially in the high beta range.
- Increased high beta wave activity (z-score > 1.96) was significantly associated with migraine diagnosis (OR 1.06, p=.012).
- Changes in QEEG measurements correlated with alterations in clinical migraine symptoms post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Distinctive QEEG absolute power and high beta wave activity patterns are observed in migraine patients.
- QEEG shows promise as a diagnostic biomarker for migraine.
- QEEG may serve as a tool for monitoring therapeutic efficacy in migraine management, meriting larger studies.
