Quantitative Electroencephalographic Analysis in Women with Migraine during the Luteal Phase

Abstract

Migraine is a common, headache disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of headache often associated with nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia. Prior to puberty, boys and girls are equally affected. Female preponderance emerges after puberty. Migraine pathophysiology is not fully understood, and although the hormonal effect of estrogen is significant, it is not clear how hormonal phases affect brain excitability and EEG patterns in women with migraine. The objective of this research was to study the effect of migraine on the resting-state EEG activity of women during the luteal phase. This work compares electroencephalographic (EEG) absolute power in different frequency bands and scalp areas between young women who suffer from migraine and had a migraine attack within 24 h prior to EEG recording (experimental) and ten age-matched young healthy women (controls), all with normal menstrual cycles. For women with migraine, we found a significant decrease/increase in alpha power in the occipitoparietal/frontocentral area, significant decrease in beta power for all areas, significant decrease in delta power in the temporal area, and significant decrease in theta power in the frontocentral and occipitoparietal area. We concluded that women with migraine have a distinct electroencephalographic pattern during the luteal phase in comparison with control women. A possible explanation might be an intermittent rhythmic activity linked to pain.