Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2025
10:39
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
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Migraine with brainstem aura
1UPMC Headache Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
Handbook of Clinical Neurology
|February 2, 2024
Summary
Migraine with brainstem aura, previously basilar artery migraine, is an uncommon subtype primarily affecting younger individuals. Current understanding points to neural dysfunction, not vascular issues, as the cause of its unique neurological symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Migraine with brainstem aura, formerly basilar artery migraine, is an uncommon subtype of migraine with aura.
- It predominantly affects children, adolescents, and young adults, presenting with migraine headache and neurological symptoms attributed to brainstem dysfunction.
Approach:
- Review of current understanding of migraine pathophysiology.
- Discussion of diagnostic approaches including neuroimaging (brain MRI without contrast), EEG, and lumbar puncture.
- Consideration of differential diagnoses for conditions with high morbidity and mortality.
Key Points:
- Migraine with brainstem aura is now believed to stem from neural circuitry dysfunction rather than vascular origins.
- Neuroimaging, particularly MRI without contrast, is recommended; further investigations depend on clinical presentation.
- Prophylaxis involves lifestyle changes and evidence-based preventive medications; acute management remains debated.
Conclusions:
- The prognosis for migraine with brainstem aura is generally favorable.
- Refined diagnostic criteria could improve specificity and facilitate clinical research.
- Further understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms is warranted.
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