Coordinates-based meta-analysis for vestibular migraine and the underlying mechanisms behind it

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Neurology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Vestibular migraine (VM) is a common cause of recurrent vertigo.
• Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analyzes brain gray matter (GM) volume changes.
• A comprehensive review of GM alterations in VM is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze neuroimaging data on GM volume in VM patients.
• To identify specific brain regions with altered GM volume in VM.
• To assess the reliability and consistency of findings across studies.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of multiple databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang).
• Coordinate-based meta-analysis (CBMA) using the SDM-PSI algorithm.
• Inclusion of five studies comprising 103 VM patients and 107 healthy controls (HCs).

Main Results:

• Significant reduction in GM volume observed in VM patients compared to HCs.
• Peak GM volume reduction localized to the left rolandic operculum (BA 48), extending to the posterior insula.
• Low heterogeneity (I² = 19.35%) and no detected publication bias (Egger's test p = 0.826).

Conclusions:

• Confirms reliable gray matter volume alterations in the posterior insula-operculum region in VM patients.
• Suggests these structural changes are consistently found in VM.
• Recommends longitudinal studies with standardized protocols to determine causality.