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A computational model of visual hallucinations in migraine
1Depts. of Computer Science and Neurology, University of Maryland, College Park 20742, USA.
Computers in Biology and Medicine
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Cortical spreading depression, a wave of brain activity, may cause migraine aura visual disturbances. A computational model supports this, showing neural patterns mimicking visual hallucinations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Computational Biology
- Neurology
Background:
- Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is a wave of depolarization across the cerebral cortex.
- CSD is hypothesized to underlie the visual disturbances of migraine aura.
- Directly testing this hypothesis in vivo is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between CSD and migraine aura using a computational model.
- To simulate the neural activity patterns during CSD.
- To compare simulated visual disturbances with patient-reported migraine aura symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Development of a computational model simulating CSD.
- Analysis of spatial patterns of neural activity during simulated CSD.
- Correlation of simulated neural activity patterns with visual phenomena.
Main Results:
- Simulated CSD generated irregular patterns of neural activity, resembling lines and patches.
- These simulated patterns correspond to visual disturbances reported in migraine aura.
- The model predicts that these visual disturbances move at an exponentially increasing speed.
Conclusions:
- The computational model provides strong support for the CSD hypothesis of migraine aura.
- Simulated neural activity patterns during CSD can explain migraine aura visual hallucinations.
- The model offers a testable prediction regarding the speed of aura progression.