Abstract
Different strategies of neurostimulation have been developed as treatment tools for migraine. Among them, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) can be performed both invasively and non-invasively. Recently, “Gammacore” has been approved as a non-pharmacological and non-invasive tool for headache, and a recent study demonstrated its efficacy in 22% of patients with acute migraine attacks[1]. Although the pathophysiology of migraine is not yet fully understood, many studies have shown a role of sterile inflammation of cerebral vessels and of the change in diameter of the intracranial arteries. Blood flow velocities and vasomotor reactivity (VMR) in patients suffering from migraine without aura in the intercritical phase were found either increased or normal compared to non-migraineurs healthy controls[2, 3]. Since the vagus nerve is the largest parasympathetic nerve of the body, it is probable that its neuromodulation can affect cerebral hemodynamics. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of external vagus nerve stimulation on VMR of patients suffering from chronic migraine.
Highlights
Different strategies of neurostimulation have been developed as treatment tools for migraine
The pathophysiology of migraine is not yet fully understood, many studies have shown a role of sterile inflammation of cerebral vessels and of the change in diameter of the intracranial arteries
Blood flow velocities and vasomotor reactivity (VMR) in patients suffering from migraine without aura in the intercritical phase were found either increased or normal compared to nonmigraineurs healthy controls [2,3]
Summary
Different strategies of neurostimulation have been developed as treatment tools for migraine. “Gammacore” has been approved as a non-pharmacological and non-invasive tool for headache, and a recent study demonstrated its efficacy in 22% of patients with acute migraine attacks [1]. The pathophysiology of migraine is not yet fully understood, many studies have shown a role of sterile inflammation of cerebral vessels and of the change in diameter of the intracranial arteries. Blood flow velocities and vasomotor reactivity (VMR) in patients suffering from migraine without aura in the intercritical phase were found either increased or normal compared to nonmigraineurs healthy controls [2,3]. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of external vagus nerve stimulation on VMR of patients suffering from chronic migraine
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