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Decreases in Hormone Levels Modulate Neurovascular Coupling but Not Reduced Insular Functional Connectivity in
Xinyu Li1, Lisa W C Au2, Huifen Hao1
1Imaging Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital, and College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China.
Human Brain Mapping
|July 22, 2025
Summary
Menstrual-related migraine (MRM) involves altered brain connectivity. Hormone changes during the menstrual cycle impact neurovascular function, particularly in the insula, contributing to MRM.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurovascular Disorders
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Menstrual-related migraine (MRM) is linked to sex hormone fluctuations.
- Altered brain connectivity, especially in the insula, is implicated in migraine.
- The precise neuropathological mechanisms of MRM during the menstrual cycle are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of menstrual cycle phases on neurovascular coupling in MRM patients.
- To explore the relationship between sex hormone levels and brain connectivity in MRM.
- To elucidate the role of the insula in MRM pathophysiology.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 36 MRM patients and 29 controls.
- Collected sex hormone levels and resting-state fMRI data during the late-follicular phase (LFP) and perimenstrual phase (PMP).
- Assessed neurovascular function using hemodynamic response function (HRF) parameters and insular phase synchronization.
Main Results:
- Hormone level decreases modulated HRF response heights.
- HRF width changes differed between MRM patients and controls, affecting the superior temporal gyrus.
- MRM patients showed increased insular phase synchronization in the LFP and decreased synchronization in the PMP.
Conclusions:
- Menstrual cycle-related hormone fluctuations contribute to dysregulated neurovascular coupling in MRM.
- Altered insular phase synchronization during the perimenstrual phase may be a key feature of MRM.
- Findings highlight the complex interplay between hormones, brain function, and migraine.
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