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Perfusion-weighted imaging defects during spontaneous migrainous aura
F M Cutrer1, A G Sorensen, R M Weisskoff
1Stroke and Neurovascular Regulation, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown 02129, USA.
Annals of Neurology
|February 5, 1998
Summary
Functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed decreased blood flow and volume in the occipital cortex during migraine visual auras. These hemodynamic changes offer insights into migraine pathophysiology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Migraine with aura is characterized by transient neurological deficits, often visual.
- Understanding the underlying neurovascular mechanisms during aura is crucial for developing targeted treatments.
Observation:
- Perfusion- and diffusion-weighted MRI were conducted during spontaneous visual aura in four migraine patients.
- Researchers monitored hemodynamic parameters in the occipital cortex.
Findings:
- Significant decreases in relative cerebral blood flow (16-53%) and cerebral blood volume (6-33%) were observed.
- An increase in tissue mean transit time (10-54%) was noted in the occipital gray matter contralateral to the visual symptoms.
- No changes in apparent diffusion coefficient were detected, suggesting no acute tissue injury.
Implications:
- Functional MRI is a valuable noninvasive tool for studying hemodynamic alterations during migraine aura.
- These findings contribute to understanding the pathophysiology of migraine with aura.
- The study highlights potential targets for therapeutic interventions aimed at managing migraine-associated hemodynamic changes.