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Autonomic function testing in patients with migraine
1Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Headache
|November 1, 1993
Summary
Migraine patients show impaired sympathetic nervous system function, indicated by reduced heart rate response during handgrip tests and altered heart rate variability when standing. This suggests autonomic dysfunction is linked to migraine.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Autonomic Neuroscience
Background:
- Migraine is a complex neurological disorder.
- Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction is increasingly recognized in migraine pathophysiology.
- Understanding ANS involvement may reveal new therapeutic targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate autonomic nervous system function in migraine patients.
- To compare ANS responses between migraineurs and healthy controls.
- To identify specific patterns of autonomic dysfunction in migraine.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 62 migraine patients and 45 healthy controls.
- Performed Valsalva maneuver, deep breathing, sustained handgrip, and orthostatic tests.
- Utilized spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) in supine and standing positions.
Main Results:
- Migraine patients exhibited significantly reduced heart rate increase during sustained handgrip compared to controls.
- Spectral analysis revealed smaller middle frequency band integrals in standing migraine patients.
- No significant differences in ANS function were observed between migraine with aura and without aura, or between sexes.
Conclusions:
- Sympathetic nervous system function appears to be impaired in individuals with migraine.
- Specific cardiovascular autonomic tests may help identify dysfunction in migraine patients.
- Autonomic dysfunction is a potential contributing factor to migraine pathophysiology.