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Brain structural network modular and connectivity alterations in subtypes of patients with migraine and medication

Chi-Wen Jao1, Yu-Te Wu2, Wei-Hung Chen3

  • 1Institute of Biophotonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Research, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Progress in Brain Research
|October 24, 2024
PubMed

Insights

This study reveals significant brain structural network differences in chronic migraine (CM) and medication overuse headache (MOH) compared to episodic migraine (EM) and healthy controls. CM and MOH patients exhibit less efficient, less centralized, and abnormally segregated brain networks.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Brain Network Analysis

Background:

  • Migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder classified into episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM).
  • Medication overuse headache (MOH) is a chronic headache resulting from painkiller overuse.
  • Understanding brain structural differences across these headache types is crucial for targeted treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare regional cortical morphology and brain structural network changes in EM, CM, and MOH patients versus healthy controls (HC).
  • To investigate alterations in cortical thickness and network connectivity patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Sixty participants (20 each in EM, CM, MOH groups, plus HC) underwent neuroimaging analysis.
  • Cortical thickness (CTs) and brain structural network properties (connectivity, efficiency, centrality) were assessed.

Main Results:

  • EM showed CTs thinning in the left limbic areas.
  • CM and MOH exhibited widespread CTs thinning, reduced intra-lobe connectivity, and decreased inter-limbic connectivity.
  • CM and MOH displayed increased inter-frontal and inter-parietal connectivity, suggesting compensatory mechanisms.
  • Both CM and MOH groups had reduced global efficiency and betweenness centrality, with MOH most affected.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic migraine and medication overuse headache are associated with less efficient, less centralized, and abnormally segregated brain networks.
  • These findings highlight distinct structural network alterations in more severe headache forms.
  • Aberrant brain networks in CM and MOH may underlie their debilitating nature and resistance to treatment.
Keywords:
Brain structural networkCortical thicknessMedicine overuse headacheMigraine

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