Cortical GABA in migraine with aura -an ultrashort echo magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.

J Headache Pain

Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.

Published: December 2019

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.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6889606PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s10194-019-1059-zDOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

migraine aura
16
cortical gaba
12
magnetic resonance
12
patients suffering
12
suffering migraine
12
resonance spectroscopy
8
metabolite concentrations
8
concentrations patients
8
gaba levels
8
migraine
6

Similar Publications

Association of ESR1 Polymorphisms with Susceptibility to Migraine: A Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis.

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 PDF

Mechanisms underlying CSD initiation implicated by genetic mouse models of migraine.

J 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 PDF

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 PDF

Plasma levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein and neurofilament light chain in patients with chronic migraine: a multicenter case-control study.

Neurol 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 PDF

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!