Abstract
BackgroundSeveral studies have suggested that migraineurs suffer from neurocognitive abnormalities, but this phenomenon and exact mechanisms remain controversial. In this study, we aimed to reevaluate visual spatial attention via event-related potential (ERP) examinations and explore further correlations between ERP data and migraine characteristics.MethodsAltogether, 25 migraine patients (9 males, 16 females; mean age 35.240 years) in the interictal period and 21 age-matched healthy controls (8 males, 13 females; mean age 35.286 years) were recruited. A modified visual oddball paradigm which contained standard, target and novel stimuli was used in the test, and amplitudes and latencies of corresponding original/difference ERP components were measured and analyzed independently.ResultsWe found that P3 amplitude was markedly reduced in migraineurs. This phenomenon was further validated in analysis of difference P3 components (target minus standard and novel minus standard). Additionally, the N1 and N2 latencies elicited by novel stimulus were both delayed in patients compared with controls. Furthermore, these deviant cognitive ERPs were correlated with frequency and duration of migraine attacks.ConclusionsThese results indicated impaired visual spatial attention in migraine patients, which could be related to frequency and duration of attacks.
Highlights
Several studies have suggested that migraineurs suffer from neurocognitive abnormalities, but this phenomenon and exact mechanisms remain controversial
A nationwide retrospective cohort study has shown that migraine is associated with a higher risk of dementia [7], and an increased prevalence of stroke is found in migraineurs [8], which may lead to neurocognitive abnormalities in succession [9]
As for emotional characteristics, assessed by Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), migraine patients tended to be more anxious and depressed compared with healthy controls (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001 respectively)
Summary
Several studies have suggested that migraineurs suffer from neurocognitive abnormalities, but this phenomenon and exact mechanisms remain controversial. We aimed to reevaluate visual spatial attention via event-related potential (ERP) examinations and explore further correlations between ERP data and migraine characteristics. Some investigations suggest that migraine sufferers could have cognitive impairment, including attentional deficits, visual-spatial processing abnormalities and memory disturbances [4,5,6]. A nationwide retrospective cohort study has shown that migraine is associated with a higher risk of dementia [7], and an increased prevalence of stroke is found in migraineurs [8], which may lead to neurocognitive abnormalities in succession [9]. It is necessary to fully illustrate the relationship between migraine and cognitive processing, as well as underlying mechanisms
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