Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the cortical metabolite concentrations in patients suffering from migraine with aura (MWA). We hypothesized that occipital γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels are lower in MWA patients.
Background: Recent studies have indicated that a disturbance in the inhibitory GABA is involved in triggering the migraine aura. We aimed to explore this using a novel magnetic resonance spectroscopy sequence.
Methods: Using spin echo full intensity acquired localized spectroscopy on a Siemens 3 Tesla magnetic resonance scanner, we obtained occipital and parietal metabolite concentrations in 14 patients suffering from migraine with aura and a group of 16 matched healthy subjects. All scans were performed at Aarhus University Hospital, at the Center for Functionally Integrative Neuroscience (CFIN).
Results: No difference was found in GABA/(Total creatine) levels in either the occipital cortex (p = 0.744) or in the somatosensory cortex (p = 0.305).
Conclusion: These findings indicate that cortical GABA levels are normal in patients suffering from relatively few migraine attacks. Previous studies have reported that cortical GABA in patients with more frequent migraines is reduced; further investigation of the inhibitory system in migraine patients is warranted to determine the underlying mechanisms.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s10194-019-1059-z | DOI Listing |
Curr Pain Headache Rep
January 2025
ImmGen EvSys Lab, BT-113 Department of Biotechnology, Berhampur University, Bhanja Bihar Berhampur, Berhampur, 760007, Odisha, India.
Background: Migraine is a highly prevalent and incapacitating neurological disorder mostly characterised by recurring attacks of moderate to severe throbbing and pulsating pain on one side of the head. The role of estrogen in migraine has been well documented. Although genetic variations in the ESR1 gene have been associated with an increased risk of developing migraine, the findings are inconsistent.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Headache Pain
January 2025
Department of Neurology, University of Utah, 383 Colorow Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA.
A key unanswered question in migraine neurobiology concerns the mechanisms that make the brain of migraineurs susceptible to cortical spreading depression (CSD, a spreading depolarization that underlies migraine aura and may trigger the migraine pain mechanisms). Important insights into this question can be obtained by studying the mechanisms of facilitation of CSD initiation in genetic mouse models of the disease. These models, all generated from families with hereditary migraine, allow the investigation of the functional consequences of disease-causing mutations at the molecular, cellular, synaptic and neural circuit levels.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHealthcare (Basel)
January 2025
Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Migraines are a common neurological disorder that significantly impact women, especially during their reproductive years. Hormonal, neurological, and lifestyle factors shape migraine patterns, with fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause influencing migraine prevalence and severity. This expert opinion explores current challenges, therapeutic strategies, and future directions for personalized care, addressing the limited inclusion of women in clinical research across different life stages.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurol Sci
January 2025
Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Mosè Bianchi 90, 20149, Milan, Italy.
Objective: Plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (pGFAP) and plasma neurofilament light chain (pNfL) levels reflect astrocyte activation and neuronal damage, respectively. Whether these phenomena play a role in migraine is unknown. This study aimed to compare pGFAP and pNfL levels in patients with chronic migraine (CM) and age-matched controls and to analyze their relation with clinical features.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Pharmacol
January 2025
Department of Neurology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
Background: Migraine represents a chronic neurological disorder characterized by high prevalence, substantial disability rates, and significant economic burden. Its pathogenesis is complex, and there is currently no cure. The rapid progress in multi-omics technologies has provided new tools to uncover the intricate pathological mechanisms underlying migraine.
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