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Exploring the complex relationship between vestibular symptoms and migraine: a resting‑state functional MRI study
Lin Han1, Xing Xiong2, Jiajie Lu1
1Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
Brain Imaging and Behavior
|July 31, 2026
Summary
Vestibular migraine (VM) involves distinct brain activity patterns in the frontal gyrus and thalamus, suggesting it is a separate condition from other vertigo and migraine disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Vestibular migraine (VM) is a complex disorder characterized by the interplay of vestibular symptoms and migraine.
- Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of VM is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal relationship between vestibular symptoms and migraine onset.
- To assess the influence of VM on spontaneous cerebral functional activity and functional connectivity.
- To explore the correlation between clinical features and observed brain activity changes.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 69 participants across six groups: VM, benign recurrent vertigo (BRV), migraine without aura (MoA), and healthy controls.
- Analysis of spontaneous cerebral functional activity and functional connectivity using the bilateral thalamus as a seed point.
- Comparison of functional activity and connectivity with clinical features like vertigo and migraine severity and duration.
Main Results:
- Significant variations in spontaneous functional activity of the right middle and inferior frontal gyrus were observed across groups.
- Altered functional connectivity of the right superior frontal gyrus with the bilateral thalamus was noted.
- Vertigo and migraine severity/duration correlated with specific changes in frontal gyrus activity and thalamocortical connectivity.
- The temporal sequence of symptoms in VM did not impact cerebral functional activity.
Conclusions:
- Vestibular migraine exhibits distinct patterns of cerebral functional activity and connectivity.
- Vestibular stimulation may influence frontal gyrus activity, while headache may affect thalamocortical connectivity.
- Findings support the classification of vestibular migraine as a distinct disease entity.
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