Abstract
BackgroundAlthough alterations in resting-state neural network have been previously reported in migraine using functional MRI, whether this atypical neural network is frequency dependent remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the alterations of the functional connectivity of neural network and their frequency specificity in migraineurs as compared with healthy controls by using magnetoencephalography (MEG) and concepts from graph theory.MethodsTwenty-three episodic migraine patients with and without aura, during the interictal period, and 23 age- and gender-matched healthy controls at resting state with eye-closed were studied with MEG. Functional connectivity of neural network from low (0.1–1 Hz) to high (80–250 Hz) frequency ranges was analyzed with topographic patterns and quantified with graph theory.ResultsThe topographic patterns of neural network showed that the migraineurs had significantly increased functional connectivity in the slow wave (0.1–1 Hz) band in the frontal area as compared with controls. Compared with the migraineurs without aura (MwoA), the migraineurs with aura (MwA) had significantly increased functional connectivity in the theta (4–8 Hz) band in the occipital area. Graph theory analysis revealed that the migraineurs had significantly increased connection strength in the slow wave (0.1–1 Hz) band, increased path length in the theta (4–8 Hz) and ripple (80–250 Hz) bands, and increased clustering coefficient in the slow wave (0.1–1 Hz) and theta (4–8 Hz) bands. The clinical characteristics had no significant correlation with interictal MEG parameters.ConclusionsResults indicate that functional connectivity of neural network in migraine is significantly impaired in both low- and high-frequency ranges. The alteration of neural network may imply that migraine is associated with functional brain reorganization.
Highlights
Alterations in resting-state neural network have been previously reported in migraine using functional MRI, whether this atypical neural network is frequency dependent remains unknown
Topographic patterns of neural network In the slow wave (0.1–1 Hz) band, a significant difference was observed in functional connectivity patterns in the frontal cortex between the migraineurs and the controls
No significant difference was observed between the migraineurs with aura (MwA) and migraineurs without aura (MwoA) in this frequency band
Summary
Alterations in resting-state neural network have been previously reported in migraine using functional MRI, whether this atypical neural network is frequency dependent remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the alterations of the functional connectivity of neural network and their frequency specificity in migraineurs as compared with healthy controls by using magnetoencephalography (MEG) and concepts from graph theory. Our conceptualization of migraine has evolved from primarily a vascular disorder to a neurovascular disorder and currently to a brain disorder, primarily a disorder of Functional connectivity has been considered an approach to describe how brain regions communicate information with each other [9]. The introduction of graph theory to neuroscience allows us to quantify different networks and further characterize the features of brain functional topology [12]. According to concepts from graph theory, the brain can be considered a mathematical network consisting of a set of nodes and links. Graph theory has been extensively used to gain insight into how brain regions coordinate to support higher cognitive functions [15]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
