Abstract
BackgroundPrevious studies have defined low-frequency, spatially consistent intrinsic connectivity networks (ICN) in resting functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data which reflect functional interactions among distinct brain areas. We sought to explore whether and how repeated migraine attacks influence intrinsic brain connectivity, as well as how activity in these networks correlates with clinical indicators of migraine.Methods/Principal FindingsResting-state fMRI data in twenty-three patients with migraines without aura (MwoA) and 23 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HC) were analyzed using independent component analysis (ICA), in combination with a “dual-regression” technique to identify the group differences of three important pain-related networks [default mode network (DMN), bilateral central executive network (CEN), salience network (SN)] between the MwoA patients and HC. Compared with the HC, MwoA patients showed aberrant intrinsic connectivity within the bilateral CEN and SN, and greater connectivity between both the DMN and right CEN (rCEN) and the insula cortex - a critical region involving in pain processing. Furthermore, greater connectivity between both the DMN and rCEN and the insula correlated with duration of migraine.ConclusionsOur findings may provide new insights into the characterization of migraine as a condition affecting brain activity in intrinsic connectivity networks. Moreover, the abnormalities may be the consequence of a persistent central neural system dysfunction, reflecting cumulative brain insults due to frequent ongoing migraine attacks.
Highlights
Migraine is a common, chronic disorder with episodic attacks
The abnormalities may be the consequence of a persistent central neural system dysfunction, reflecting cumulative brain insults due to frequent ongoing migraine attacks
The central executive network (CEN) is split into a right and left lateralized network by independent component analysis (ICA), the right CEN and left
Summary
Chronic disorder with episodic attacks. Given that migraine headaches cause significant individual and societal burden, resulting substantial pain, disability, and a decreased overall quality of life [1,2], it is imperative to develop a better understanding of migraine pathophysiology and thereby providing a foundation for improving therapeutic approaches. As a non-invasive way to measure intrinsic fluctuations in bloodoxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) signals, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) has attracted considerable attention in studies of various brain diseases [4,5,6,7,8,9,10]. It has been applied in studies focused on migraineurs to examine potential alterations of baseline intrinsic brain activity caused by long-term migraine attacks. We sought to explore whether and how repeated migraine attacks influence intrinsic brain connectivity, as well as how activity in these networks correlates with clinical indicators of migraine
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