Biobehavioral correlates in migraine: the role of hypersensitivity and information-processing dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Migraine Research

Background:

• Migraine patients exhibit abnormal behaviors like perfectionism and hypersensitivity.
• These behaviors are often considered psychological characteristics.
• The underlying neurophysiological basis remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of abnormal behavioral patterns in migraine.
• To propose a neurophysiological model for migraine etiology.
• To investigate the link between cortical hypersensitivity and behavioral abnormalities.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing neuro(psycho)physiological data.
• Analysis of behavioral patterns in migraine patients.
• Postulation of a two-process model for migraine.

Main Results:

• Migraine is proposed as a brainstem-related information-processing dysfunction.
• Cortical hypersensitivity and reduced habituation are key features.
• Abnormal behaviors may result from cortical hypersensitivity and social learning.

Conclusions:

• A two-process model for migraine etiology is postulated.
• This model involves genetic predisposition (hyperactive monoaminergic system) and learning.
• It also includes homeostatic regulation and energy mobilization (mitochondrial reserve).