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Updated: Sep 20, 2025
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Altered cortical myelin and thickness in migraine patients with patent foramen ovale: A novel surface-based analysis
Yusha Tang1, Huaiqiang Sun2, Yajiao Li3
1Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxue Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
Abstract:
An association between migraine and patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been reported; however, the precise nature of this connection remains unclear. This study aimed to further identify and parse the structural alterations in migraine patients with PFO, providing new insights into the interplay between PFO and migraine. We examined cortical myelin and thickness in 110 female patients with migraine (60 with PFO, 50 without) and 50 healthy controls (25 with and without PFO). The main effects of migraine and PFO, as well as their interaction, were analyzed with a general linear model with age as a covariate for two-way analysis of variance. We observed that individuals with PFO presented a broad and diffuse increase in cortical thickness and changes in the strength of the myelin-sensitive contrast within the cortex. Furthermore, we found a specific region in the right inferior parietal cortex that exhibited PFO-related reductions in intracortical myelin, with a significant migraine-PFO interaction (cluster size (Vertices) = 133, p < 0.05). The headache impact test score was negatively correlated with the myelin index in this region (r = -0.396, p < 0.0001). This study revealed structural brain changes in migraine patients with PFO, indicating that myelin mapping may serve as a potential biomarker for identifying these alterations. This approach could help differentiate migraine patients with PFO, supporting targeted therapies. Combining myelin mapping with diffusion imaging may further improve the detection and monitoring of structural changes, enhancing diagnostic and treatment strategies.
Insights
Migraine patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO) show distinct brain structure changes, particularly in cortical thickness and myelin. Myelin mapping may help identify these alterations and guide targeted migraine therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Medical Research
Background:
- A link between migraine and patent foramen ovale (PFO) is suggested but not fully understood.
- Structural brain differences in migraine patients with PFO require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and analyze structural brain alterations, specifically cortical myelin and thickness, in female migraine patients with and without PFO.
- To explore the interplay between PFO and migraine through detailed brain imaging.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a general linear model for two-way ANOVA, analyzing cortical myelin and thickness in 110 female migraine patients and 50 healthy controls.
- Compared individuals with and without PFO, with age as a covariate.
Main Results:
- Individuals with PFO exhibited increased cortical thickness and altered myelin-sensitive contrast across the cortex.
- A significant interaction between migraine and PFO was found in the right inferior parietal cortex, showing reduced intracortical myelin.
- Reduced myelin in this region correlated with higher headache impact.
Conclusions:
- Structural brain changes, including altered cortical myelin, are present in migraine patients with PFO.
- Myelin mapping shows potential as a biomarker for identifying these specific alterations and differentiating patient subgroups.
- Further research combining myelin mapping with diffusion imaging could enhance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for migraine patients with PFO.
