Brainstem 1H-MR spectroscopy in episodic and chronic migraine

Tzu Hsien Lai, Jong Ling Fuh, Jiing Feng Lirng, Ching Po Lin, Shuu Jiun Wang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

The pathogenesis of evolution from episodic migraine (EM) to chronic migraine (CM) has not yet been clearly determined. Some studies revealed that dysfunction of the brainstem may play a role. We aimed to determine the brainstem 1H-MR spectroscopic (MRS) findings in episodic and chronic migraine. We recruited patients with EM, CM and controls. Patients with CM were divided into subgroups with and without medication overuse (MO). The 1H-MRS metabolite ratios at the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and bilateral dorsal pons were measured and compared with those in controls. A total of 19 patients with EM, 53 patients with CM (with MO n = 30, without MO n = 23) and 16 control subjects completed the study. Patients with EM had the highest N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/ creatine (Cr) ratio at the dorsal pons (right, P = 0.014; left, P = 0.034) in comparison with those of CM and controls. The latter two groups did not differ. Among migraine patients, NAA/Cr ratios at dorsal pons were inversely correlated with headache frequency (right, r = -0.350, P = 0.004; left, r = -0.284, P = 0.019) and intensity (right, r = -0.286, P = 0.019; left, r = -0.244, P = 0.045), but not disease duration. In contrast, the metabolite ratios did not differ at the PAG among the study groups. Of note, MO was not associated with brainstem MRS ratios in patients with CM. The increased NAA/Cr levels may suggest neuronal hypertrophy at the dorsal pons in EM. A progressive dysfunction of this region may occur from EM to CM since the levels declined with increasing headache frequency and intensity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)645-651
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Headache and Pain
Volume13
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2012

Keywords

  • Brainstem
  • MR spectroscopy
  • Migraine
  • Periaqueductal gray
  • Pons

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