Low-frequency facial hemodynamic oscillations distinguish migraineurs from non-headache controls.

Background: Surface imaging is a promising, noninvasive approach to assess regional perfusion in craniovascular disorders such as migraine.

Methods: We used optical imaging to examine differences in facial blood volume at baseline and in response to ammonia inhalation (a noxious stimulus), as well as standardized measures of cardiovascular autonomic function, in healthy, non-headache controls ( = 43) and in interictal migraine subjects ( = 22).

Results: Resting facial cutaneous oscillation (FCO) frequency was significantly different in migraine compared to healthy controls.