Thalamo-cortical networks in subtypes of migraine with aura patients

Abstract

Background We searched for differences in resting-state functional connectivity (FC) between brain networks and its relationship with the microstructure of the thalamus between migraine with pure visual auras (MA), and migraine with complex neurological auras (MA+), i.e. with the addition of at least one of sensory or language symptom. Methods 3T MRI data were obtained from 20 patients with MA and 15 with MA + and compared with those from 19 healthy controls (HCs). We collected resting state data among independent component networks. Diffusivity metrics of bilateral thalami were calculated and correlated with resting state ICs-Z-scores. Results As compared to HCs, both patients with MA and MA + disclosed disrupted FC between the default mode network (DMN) and the right dorsal attention system (DAS). The MA + subgroup had lower microstructural metrics than both HCs and the MA subgroup, which correlated negatively with the strength of DMN connectivity. Although the microstructural metrics of MA patients did not differ from those of HCs, these patients lacked the correlation with the strength of DAS connectivity found in HCs. Conclusions The present findings suggest that, as far as MRI profiles are concerned, the two clinical phenotypes of migraine with aura have both common and distinct morpho-functional features of nodes in the thalamo-cortical network.

Visual stimulation and frequency of focal neurological symptoms engage distinctive neurocognitive resources in migraine with aura patients: a study of resting-state functional networks

“…In this study, we confirm in an independent group of MwA patients previous findings that functional connectivity between DMN and DAS is altered interictally compared to HS [ 16 ]. Here, instead of distinguishing patients on the basis of their aura, i.e.…”

“…MwA with only visual aura or with associated somatosensory and dysphasic aura, we studied all patients in one group. We have previously pointed out that a lack of correlation between self-orientation monitoring networks, like DMN, and the externally-oriented multimodal sensory information processing networks, such as the DAS, may contribute to the emergence of pathology [ 16 ].…”

The Cumulative Therapeutic Effect of Acupuncture Treatment in Patients with Migraine without Aura: Evidence from Dynamic Alterations of Intrinsic Brain Activity and Effective Connectivity Analysis

“…Previous studies demonstrated a transient pathologic state with atypical thalamo-cortical connectivity in migraineurs (Coppola et al 2021). These results be able to intuitively explain the cumulative therapeutic effect of acupuncture treatment.…”

Neural fingerprints of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome in patients with migraine with aura

“…Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) studies in patients with migraine with aura have highlighted a wide range of abnormalities in the interictal and ictal phases, including increased functional connectivity within the visual networks and other regions involved in visual processing (24,25), although this finding was not confirmed by other studies (for reviews, see Skorobogatykh et al (26), Chong et al (27)). The severity of these alterations has been also associated to the complexity of the migraine aura (28). Moreover, several studies have demonstrated abnormal functional connectivity (FC) between the posterior thalamus, visual cortex and precuneus in migraineurs (29)(30)(31) and more severe alterations of thalamic microstructure and structural thalamo-cortical connectivity in subjects with complex migraine aura (28).…”

“…The severity of these alterations has been also associated to the complexity of the migraine aura (28). Moreover, several studies have demonstrated abnormal functional connectivity (FC) between the posterior thalamus, visual cortex and precuneus in migraineurs (29)(30)(31) and more severe alterations of thalamic microstructure and structural thalamo-cortical connectivity in subjects with complex migraine aura (28).…”