Microstructural and network abnormalities in headache

TY - JOUR

T1 - Microstructural and network abnormalities in headache

AU - Ellerbrock, Isabel

AU - Engel, Andreas K

AU - May, Arne

PY - 2013/8/1

Y1 - 2013/8/1

N2 - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The objective of this review is to give an overview of recent advances regarding structural changes and altered neural connectivity associated with chronic headache syndromes, focusing on migraine.RECENT FINDINGS: In conjunction with a recent boost of studies investigating exercise dependent neuroplasticity and reorganization of the brain, a number of new findings concerning structural abnormalities in migraine patients have been produced. MRI studies have explored structural changes not only across cohorts (e.g. headache patients and controls) but also longitudinally over time, making use of a variety of tools, such as voxel-based morphometry, cortical thickness analysis and, very recently, connectivity analysis. As certain abnormalities have repeatedly been found in migraineurs, the relation between structural deficits and functional impairment is increasingly a matter of debate.SUMMARY: Owing to novel neuroimaging approaches and evaluation methods, a range of possibilities for exploring brain differences between migraine patients and healthy subjects have become available. These include both regional structural alterations and network connectivity changes. Despite methodological advances, most studies involve still small populations and results are often inconclusive. Future work should clearly involve larger cohorts and combine different techniques to help us better understand the diagnostic implications.

AB - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The objective of this review is to give an overview of recent advances regarding structural changes and altered neural connectivity associated with chronic headache syndromes, focusing on migraine.RECENT FINDINGS: In conjunction with a recent boost of studies investigating exercise dependent neuroplasticity and reorganization of the brain, a number of new findings concerning structural abnormalities in migraine patients have been produced. MRI studies have explored structural changes not only across cohorts (e.g. headache patients and controls) but also longitudinally over time, making use of a variety of tools, such as voxel-based morphometry, cortical thickness analysis and, very recently, connectivity analysis. As certain abnormalities have repeatedly been found in migraineurs, the relation between structural deficits and functional impairment is increasingly a matter of debate.SUMMARY: Owing to novel neuroimaging approaches and evaluation methods, a range of possibilities for exploring brain differences between migraine patients and healthy subjects have become available. These include both regional structural alterations and network connectivity changes. Despite methodological advances, most studies involve still small populations and results are often inconclusive. Future work should clearly involve larger cohorts and combine different techniques to help us better understand the diagnostic implications.

KW - Brain

KW - Brain Mapping

KW - Headache

KW - Humans

KW - Image Processing, Computer-Assisted

KW - Leukoencephalopathies

KW - Magnetic Resonance Imaging

KW - Neural Pathways

KW - Neuroimaging

U2 - 10.1097/WCO.0b013e3283633714

DO - 10.1097/WCO.0b013e3283633714

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 23757264

VL - 26

SP - 353

EP - 359

JO - CURR OPIN NEUROL

JF - CURR OPIN NEUROL

SN - 1350-7540

IS - 4

ER -