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O'Hare L, Wan CL. No Evidence of Cross-Orientation Suppression Differences in Migraine with Aura Compared to Healthy Controls. Vision (Basel) 2024; 8:2. [PMID: 38391083 PMCID: PMC10885099 DOI: 10.3390/vision8010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
It has been suggested that there may be an imbalance of excitation and inhibitory processes in the visual areas of the brain in people with migraine aura (MA). One idea is thalamocortical dysrhythmia, characterized by disordered oscillations, and thus disordered communication between the lateral geniculate nucleus and the cortex. Cross-orientation suppression is a visual task thought to rely on inhibitory processing, possibly originating in the lateral geniculate nucleus. We measured both resting-state oscillations and cross-orientation suppression using EEG over occipital areas in people with MA and healthy volunteers. We found evidence of cross-orientation suppression in the SSVEP responses, but no evidence of any group difference. Therefore, inhibitory processes related to cross-orientation suppression do not appear to be impaired in MA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise O'Hare
- Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare Street, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK
| | - Choi Lam Wan
- Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare Street, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK
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2
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Puledda F, Viganò A, Sebastianelli G, Parisi V, Hsiao FJ, Wang SJ, Chen WT, Massimini M, Coppola G. Electrophysiological findings in migraine may reflect abnormal synaptic plasticity mechanisms: A narrative review. Cephalalgia 2023; 43:3331024231195780. [PMID: 37622421 DOI: 10.1177/03331024231195780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cyclical brain disorder of sensory processing accompanying migraine phases lacks an explanatory unified theory. METHODS We searched Pubmed for non-invasive neurophysiological studies on migraine and related conditions using transcranial magnetic stimulation, electroencephalography, visual and somatosensory evoked potentials. We summarized the literature, reviewed methods, and proposed a unified theory for the pathophysiology of electrophysiological abnormalities underlying migraine recurrence. RESULTS All electrophysiological modalities have determined specific changes in brain dynamics across the different phases of the migraine cycle. Transcranial magnetic stimulation studies show unbalanced recruitment of inhibitory and excitatory circuits, more consistently in aura, which ultimately results in a substantially distorted response to neuromodulation protocols. Electroencephalography investigations highlight a steady pattern of reduced alpha and increased slow rhythms, largely located in posterior brain regions, which tends to normalize closer to the attacks. Finally, non-painful evoked potentials suggest dysfunctions in habituation mechanisms of sensory cortices that revert during ictal phases. CONCLUSION Electrophysiology shows dynamic and recurrent functional alterations within the brainstem-thalamus-cortex loop varies continuously and recurrently in migraineurs. Given the central role of these structures in the selection, elaboration, and learning of sensory information, these functional alterations suggest chronic, probably genetically determined dysfunctions of the synaptic short- and long-term learning mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Puledda
- Headache Group, Wolfson CARD, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Gabriele Sebastianelli
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome Polo Pontino ICOT, Latina, Italy
| | | | - Fu-Jung Hsiao
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shuu-Jiun Wang
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ta Chen
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Marcello Massimini
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca Coppola
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome Polo Pontino ICOT, Latina, Italy
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Coppola G, Ambrosini A. What has neurophysiology revealed about migraine and chronic migraine? HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2023; 198:117-133. [PMID: 38043957 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-823356-6.00003-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Since the first electroencephalographic recordings obtained by Golla and Winter in 1959, researchers have used a variety of neurophysiological techniques to determine the mechanisms underlying recurrent migraine attacks. Neurophysiological methods have shown that the brain during the interictal phase of an episodic migraine is characterized by a general hyperresponsiveness to sensory stimuli, a malfunction of the monoaminergic brainstem circuits, and by functional alterations of the thalamus and thalamocortical loop. All of these alterations vary plastically during the phases of the migraine cycle and interictally with the days following the attack. Both episodic migraineurs recorded during an attack and chronic migraineurs are characterized by a general increase in the cortical amplitude response to peripheral sensory stimuli; this is an electrophysiological hallmark of a central sensitization process that is further reinforced through medication overuse. Considering the large-scale functional involvement and the main roles played by the brainstem-thalamo-cortical network in selection, elaboration, and learning of relevant sensory information, future research should move from searching for one specific primary site of dysfunction at the macroscopic level, to the chronic, probably genetically determined, molecular dysfunctions at the synaptic level, responsible for short- and long-term learning mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Coppola
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome Polo Pontino - I.C.O.T., Latina, Italy
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Abbas Abdulhussein M, Alyasseri ZAA, Mohammed HJ, An X. Lack of Habituation in Migraine Patients Based on High-Density EEG Analysis Using the Steady State of Visual Evoked Potential. ENTROPY (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 24:1688. [PMID: 36421543 PMCID: PMC9689466 DOI: 10.3390/e24111688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Migraine is a periodic disorder in which a patient experiences changes in the morphological and functional brain, leading to the abnormal processing of repeated external stimuli in the inter-ictal phase, known as the habituation deficit. This is a significant feature clinically of migraine in both two types with aura or without aura and plays an essential role in studying pathophysiological differences between these two groups. Several studies indicated that the reason for migraine aura is cortical spreading depression (CSD) but did not clarify its impact on migraine without aura and lack of habituation. In this study, 22 migraine patients (MWA, N = 13), (MWoA, N = 9), and healthy controls (HC, N = 19) were the participants. Participants were exposed to the steady state of visual evoked potentials also known as (SSVEP), which are the signals for a natural response to the visual motivation at four Hz or six Hz for 2 s followed by the inter-stimulus interval that varies between 1 and 1.5 s. The order of the temporal frequencies was randomized, and each temporal frequency was shown 100 times. We recorded from 128 customized electrode locations using high-density electroencephalography (HD-EEG) and measured amplitude and habituation for the N1-P1 and P1-N2 from the first to the sixth blocks of 100 sweep features in patients and healthy controls. Using the entropy, a decrease in amplitude and SSVEP N1-P1 habituation between the first and the sixth block appeared in both MWA and MWoA (p = 0.0001, Slope = -0.4643), (p = 0.065, Slope = 0.1483), respectively, compared to HC. For SSVEP P1-N2 between the first and sixth block, it is varied in both MWA (p = 0.0029, Slope = -0.3597) and MWoA (p = 0.027, Slope = 0.2010) compared to HC. Therefore, migraine patients appear amplitude decrease and habituation deficit but with different rates between MWA, and MWoA compared to HCs. Our findings suggest this disparity between MWoA and MWA in the lack of habituation and amplitude decrease in the inter-ictal phase has a close relationship with CSD. In light of the fact that CSD manifests during the inter-ictal phase of migraine with aura, which is when migraine seizures are most likely to occur, multiple researchers have lately reached this conclusion. This investigation led us to the conclusion that CSD during the inter-ictal phase and migraine without aura are associated. In other words, even if previous research has not demonstrated it, CSD is the main contributor to both types of migraine (those with and without aura).
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Affiliation(s)
- Msallam Abbas Abdulhussein
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics, University of Kufa, Najaf 54001, Iraq
| | - Zaid Abdi Alkareem Alyasseri
- ECE Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kufa, Najaf 54001, Iraq
- College of Engineering, University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa, Karbala 63514, Iraq
- Information Technology Research and Development Centre, University of Kufa, Najaf 54001, Iraq
| | - Husam Jasim Mohammed
- Department of Business Administration, College of Administration and Financial Sciences, Imam Ja’afar Al-Sadiq University, Baghdad 10001, Iraq
| | - Xingwei An
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
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Asher JM, O’Hare L, Hibbard PB. No Evidence of Reduced Contrast Sensitivity in Migraine-with-Aura for Large, Narrowband, Centrally Presented Noise-Masked Stimuli. Vision (Basel) 2021; 5:32. [PMID: 34205592 PMCID: PMC8293456 DOI: 10.3390/vision5020032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with migraine aura show differences in visual perception compared to control groups. Measures of contrast sensitivity have suggested that people with migraine aura are less able to exclude external visual noise, and that this relates to higher variability in neural processing. The current study compared contrast sensitivity in migraine with aura and control groups for narrow-band grating stimuli at 2 and 8 cycles/degree, masked by Gaussian white noise. We predicted that contrast sensitivity would be lower in the migraine with aura group at high noise levels. Contrast sensitivity was higher for the low spatial frequency stimuli, and decreased with the strength of the masking noise. We did not, however, find any evidence of reduced contrast sensitivity associated with migraine with aura. We propose alternative methods as a more targeted assessment of the role of neural noise and excitability as contributing factors to migraine aura.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi M. Asher
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK;
| | - Louise O’Hare
- Division of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK;
| | - Paul B. Hibbard
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK;
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6
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O’Hare L, Asher JM, Hibbard PB. Migraine Visual Aura and Cortical Spreading Depression-Linking Mathematical Models to Empirical Evidence. Vision (Basel) 2021; 5:30. [PMID: 34200625 PMCID: PMC8293461 DOI: 10.3390/vision5020030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This review describes the subjective experience of visual aura in migraine, outlines theoretical models of this phenomenon, and explores how these may be linked to neurochemical, electrophysiological, and psychophysical differences in sensory processing that have been reported in migraine with aura. Reaction-diffusion models have been used to model the hallucinations thought to arise from cortical spreading depolarisation and depression in migraine aura. One aim of this review is to make the underlying principles of these models accessible to a general readership. Cortical spreading depolarisation and depression in these models depends on the balance of the diffusion rate between excitation and inhibition and the occurrence of a large spike in activity to initiate spontaneous pattern formation. We review experimental evidence, including recordings of brain activity made during the aura and attack phase, self-reported triggers of migraine, and psychophysical studies of visual processing in migraine with aura, and how these might relate to mechanisms of excitability that make some people susceptible to aura. Increased cortical excitability, increased neural noise, and fluctuations in oscillatory activity across the migraine cycle are all factors that are likely to contribute to the occurrence of migraine aura. There remain many outstanding questions relating to the current limitations of both models and experimental evidence. Nevertheless, reaction-diffusion models, by providing an integrative theoretical framework, support the generation of testable experimental hypotheses to guide future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise O’Hare
- Division of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK
| | - Jordi M. Asher
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK; (J.M.A.); (P.B.H.)
| | - Paul B. Hibbard
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK; (J.M.A.); (P.B.H.)
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7
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Shepherd AJ, Patterson AJK. Exploration of anomalous perceptual experiences in migraine between attacks using the Cardiff Anomalous Perceptions Scale. Conscious Cogn 2020; 82:102945. [PMID: 32422548 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2020.102945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Distortions in sensory experiences that precede a migraine attack have been extensively documented, the most well-known being the visual aura. Distortions in the experience of other senses are also reported as part of an aura, albeit less frequently, together with changes in the perception or ownership of the body or body parts. There are many examples of differences in aspects of visual perception between migraine and control groups, between attacks, but not as much on unusual experiences involving other senses, the sense of the body or the experience of the environment. Seventy-seven migraine (33 with aura) and 74 control participants took part. Anomalous perceptions were experienced by both migraine and control groups, but more with migraine experienced them and rated them as more distressing, intrusive and frequent. Associations with reports of visual triggers of migraine and visual discomfort are presented. This study is the first to show relationships between these factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex J Shepherd
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck College, University of London, UK.
| | - Adam J K Patterson
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck College, University of London, UK
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8
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Shepherd AJ. Tracking the Migraine Cycle Using Visual Tasks. Vision (Basel) 2020; 4:vision4020023. [PMID: 32365776 PMCID: PMC7355979 DOI: 10.3390/vision4020023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There are a number of reports that perceptual, electrophysiological and imaging measures can track migraine periodicity. As the electrophysiological and imaging research requires specialist equipment, it has few practical applications. This study sought to track changes in performance on four visual tasks over the migraine cycle. Coherence thresholds were measured for two motion and two orientation tasks. The first part of the study confirmed that the data obtained from an online study produced comparable results to those obtained under controlled laboratory conditions. Thirteen migraine with aura, 12 without aura, and 12 healthy controls participated. The second part of the study showed that thresholds for discriminating vertical coherent motion varied with the migraine cycle for a majority of the participants who tested themselves multiple times (four with aura, seven without). Performance improved two days prior to a migraine attack and remained improved for two days afterwards. This outcome is as expected from an extrapolation of earlier electrophysiological research. This research points to the possibility of developing sensitive visual tests that patients can use at home to predict an impending migraine attack and so take steps to try to abort it or, if it is inevitable, to plan their lives around it.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Shepherd
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London WC1E 7HX, UK
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9
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Coppola G, Parisi V, Di Renzo A, Pierelli F. Cortical pain processing in migraine. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2019; 127:551-566. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-019-02089-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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10
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Shepherd AJ. A Review of Motion and Orientation Processing in Migraine. Vision (Basel) 2019; 3:E12. [PMID: 31735813 PMCID: PMC6802770 DOI: 10.3390/vision3020012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Visual tests can be used as noninvasive tools to test models of the pathophysiology underlying neurological conditions, such as migraine. They may also be used to track changes in performance that vary with the migraine cycle or can track the efficacy of prophylactic treatments. This article reviews the literature on performance differences on two visual tasks, global motion discrimination and orientation, which, of the many visual tasks that have been used to compare differences between migraine and control groups, have yielded the most consistent patterns of group differences. The implications for understanding the underlying pathophysiology in migraine are discussed, but the main focus is on bringing together disparate areas of research and suggesting those that can reveal practical uses of visual tests to treat and manage migraine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex J Shepherd
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, Malet St, London WC1E 7HX, UK
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11
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Russo A, Coppola G, Pierelli F, Parisi V, Silvestro M, Tessitore A, Tedeschi G. Pain Perception and Migraine. Front Neurol 2018; 9:576. [PMID: 30116215 PMCID: PMC6082953 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: It is well-known that both inter- and intra-individual differences exist in the perception of pain; this is especially true in migraine, an elusive pain disorder of the head. Although electrophysiology and neuroimaging techniques have greatly contributed to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in migraine during recent decades, the exact characteristics of pain threshold and pain intensity perception remain to be determined, and continue to be a matter of debate. Objective: The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of clinical, electrophysiological, and functional neuroimaging studies investigating changes during various phases of the so-called “migraine cycle” and in different migraine phenotypes, using pain threshold and pain intensity perception assessments. Methods: A systematic search for qualitative studies was conducted using search terms “migraine,” “pain,” “headache,” “temporal summation,” “quantitative sensory testing,” and “threshold,” alone and in combination (subject headings and keywords). The literature search was updated using the additional keywords “pain intensity,” and “neuroimaging” to identify full-text papers written in English and published in peer-reviewed journals, using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. In addition, we manually searched the reference lists of all research articles and review articles. Conclusion: Consistent data indicate that pain threshold is lower during the ictal phase than during the interictal phase of migraine or healthy controls in response to pressure, cold and heat stimuli. There is evidence for preictal sub-allodynia, whereas interictal results are conflicting due to either reduced or no observed difference in pain threshold. On the other hand, despite methodological limitations, converging observations support the concept that migraine attacks may be characterized by an increased pain intensity perception, which normalizes between episodes. Nevertheless, future studies are required to longitudinally evaluate a large group of patients before and after pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to investigate phases of the migraine cycle, clinical parameters of disease severity and chronic medication usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Russo
- Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic, and Aging Sciences, Headache Center, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli, ", Naples, Italy.,MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli,", Naples, Italy
| | - Gianluca Coppola
- Research Unit of Neurophysiology of Vision and Neuro-Ophthalmology, G. B. Bietti Foundation-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Pierelli
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome Polo Pontino, Latina, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Parisi
- Research Unit of Neurophysiology of Vision and Neuro-Ophthalmology, G. B. Bietti Foundation-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Silvestro
- Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic, and Aging Sciences, Headache Center, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli, ", Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Tessitore
- Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic, and Aging Sciences, Headache Center, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli, ", Naples, Italy.,MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli,", Naples, Italy
| | - Gioacchino Tedeschi
- Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic, and Aging Sciences, Headache Center, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli, ", Naples, Italy.,MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli,", Naples, Italy.,Institute for Diagnosis and Care "Hermitage Capodimonte," Naples, Italy
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O'Hare L. Temporal Integration of Motion Streaks in Migraine. Vision (Basel) 2018; 2:E27. [PMID: 31735890 PMCID: PMC6836222 DOI: 10.3390/vision2030027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Migraine is associated with differences in visual perception, specifically, deficits in the perception of motion. Migraine groups commonly show poorer performance (higher thresholds) on global motion tasks compared to control groups. Successful performance on a global motion task depends on several factors, including integrating signals over time. A "motion streak" task was used to investigate specifically integration over time in migraine and control groups. The motion streak effect depends on the integration of a moving point over time to create the illusion of a line, or "streak". There was evidence of a slower optimum speed for eliciting the motion streak effect in migraine compared to control groups, suggesting temporal integration is different in migraine. In addition, performance on the motion streak task showed a relationship with headache frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise O'Hare
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
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Asher JM, O’Hare L, Romei V, Hibbard PB. Typical Lateral Interactions, but Increased Contrast Sensitivity, in Migraine-With-Aura. Vision (Basel) 2018; 2:E7. [PMID: 31735871 PMCID: PMC6836116 DOI: 10.3390/vision2010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with migraine show differences in visual perception compared to control groups. It has been suggested that differences in lateral interactions between neurons might account for some of these differences. This study seeks to further establish the strength and spatial extent of excitatory and inhibitory interactions in migraine-with-aura using a classic lateral masking task. Observers indicated which of two intervals contained a centrally presented, vertical Gabor target of varying contrast. In separate blocks of trials, the target was presented alone or was flanked by two additional collinear, high contrast Gabors. Flanker distances varied between 1 and 12 wavelengths of the Gabor stimuli. Overall, contrast thresholds for the migraine group were lower than those in the control group. There was no difference in the degree of lateral interaction in the migraine group. These results are consistent with the previous work showing enhanced contrast sensitivity in migraine-with-aura for small, rapidly presented targets, and they suggest that impaired performance in global perceptual tasks in migraine may be attributed to difficulties in segmenting relevant from irrelevant features, rather than altered local mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi M. Asher
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Louise O’Hare
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Lincoln University, Brayford Way, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Vincenzo Romei
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
- Dipartimento di Psicologia and Centro studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Paul B. Hibbard
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
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14
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Cortese F, Coppola G, Di Lenola D, Serrao M, Di Lorenzo C, Parisi V, Pierelli F. Excitability of the motor cortex in patients with migraine changes with the time elapsed from the last attack. J Headache Pain 2017; 18:2. [PMID: 28063106 PMCID: PMC5218956 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-016-0712-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) produced by single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the motor cortex can be an objective measure of cortical excitability. Previously, MEP thresholds were found to be normal, increased, or even reduced in patients with migraine. In the present study, we determined whether the level of cortical excitability changes with the time interval from the last migraine attack, thereby accounting for the inconsistencies in previous reports. Methods Twenty-six patients with untreated migraine without aura (MO) underwent a MEP study between attacks. Their data were then compared to the MEP data collected from a group of 24 healthy volunteers (HVs). During the experiment, the TMS figure-of-eight coil was positioned over the left motor area. After identifying the resting motor threshold (RMT), we delivered 10 single TMS pulses (rate: 0.1 Hz, intensity: 120% of the RMT) and averaged the resulting MEP amplitudes. Results The mean RMTs and MEP amplitudes were not significantly different between the MO and HV groups. In patients with MO, the RMTs were negatively correlated with the number of days elapsed since the last migraine attack (rho = -0.404, p = 0.04). Conclusion Our results suggest that the threshold for evoking MEPs is influenced by the proximity of an attack; specifically, the threshold is lower when a long time interval has passed after an attack, and is higher (within the range of normative values) when measured close to an attack. These dynamic RMT variations resemble those we reported previously for visual and somatosensory evoked potentials and may represent time-dependent plastic changes in brain excitability in relation to the migraine cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cortese
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, 'Sapienza' University of Rome Polo Pontino, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100, Latina, Italy.
| | - Gianluca Coppola
- G. B. Bietti Foundation IRCCS, Research Unit of Neurophysiology of Vision and Neuro-Ophthalmology, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Di Lenola
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, 'Sapienza' University of Rome Polo Pontino, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100, Latina, Italy
| | - Mariano Serrao
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, 'Sapienza' University of Rome Polo Pontino, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100, Latina, Italy
| | | | - Vincenzo Parisi
- G. B. Bietti Foundation IRCCS, Research Unit of Neurophysiology of Vision and Neuro-Ophthalmology, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Pierelli
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, 'Sapienza' University of Rome Polo Pontino, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100, Latina, Italy.,INM Neuromed IRCCS, Pozzilli, (IS), Italy
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15
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Abstract
Background Migraine is a common neurological condition that often involves differences in visual processing. These sensory processing differences provide important information about the underlying causes of the condition, and for the development of treatments. Review of psychophysical literature Psychophysical experiments have shown consistent impairments in contrast sensitivity, orientation acuity, and the perception of global form and motion. They have also established that the addition of task-irrelevant visual noise has a greater effect, and that surround suppression, masking and adaptation are all stronger in migraine. Theoretical signal processing model We propose utilising an established model of visual processing, based on signal processing theory, to account for the behavioural differences seen in migraine. This has the advantage of precision and clarity, and generating clear, falsifiable predictions. Conclusion Increased effects of noise and differences in excitation and inhibition can account for the differences in migraine visual perception. Consolidating existing research and creating a unified, defined theoretical account is needed to better understand the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise O'Hare
- School of Psychology, College of Social Science, University of Lincoln, UK
| | - Paul B Hibbard
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex, UK
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, UK
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Coppola G, Bracaglia M, Di Lenola D, Di Lorenzo C, Serrao M, Parisi V, Di Renzo A, Martelli F, Fadda A, Schoenen J, Pierelli F. Visual evoked potentials in subgroups of migraine with aura patients. J Headache Pain 2015; 16:92. [PMID: 26527348 PMCID: PMC4630240 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-015-0577-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Patients suffering from migraine with aura can have either pure visual auras or complex auras with sensory disturbances and dysphasia, or both. Few studies have searched for possible pathophysiological differences between these two subgroups of patients. Methods Methods - Forty-seven migraine with aura patients were subdivided in a subgroup with exclusively visual auras (MA, N = 27) and another with complex neurological auras (MA+, N = 20). We recorded pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials (VEP: 15 min of arc cheques, 3.1 reversal per second, 600 sweeps) and measured amplitude and habituation (slope of the linear regression line of amplitude changes from the 1st to 6th block of 100 sweeps) for the N1-P1 and P1-N2 components in patients and, for comparison, in 30 healthy volunteers (HV) of similar age and gender distribution. Results VEP N1-P1 habituation, i.e. amplitude decrement between 1st and 6th block, which was obvious in most HV (mean slope −0.50), was deficient in both MA (slope +0.01, p = 0.0001) and MA+ (−0.0049, p = 0.001) patients. However, VEP N1-P1 amplitudes across blocks were normal in MA patients, while they were significantly greater in MA+ patients than in HVs. Conclusions Our findings suggest that in migraine with aura patients different aura phenotypes may be underpinned by different pathophysiological mechanisms. Pre-activation cortical excitability could be higher in patients with complex neurological auras than in those having pure visual auras or in healthy volunteers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Coppola
- G.B. Bietti Foundation-IRCCS, Department of Neurophysiology of Vision and Neurophthalmology, Via Livenza 3, 00198, Rome, Italy.
| | - Martina Bracaglia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, "Sapienza" University of Rome Polo Pontino, Latina, Italy
| | - Davide Di Lenola
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, "Sapienza" University of Rome Polo Pontino, Latina, Italy
| | | | - Mariano Serrao
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, "Sapienza" University of Rome Polo Pontino, Latina, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Parisi
- G.B. Bietti Foundation-IRCCS, Department of Neurophysiology of Vision and Neurophthalmology, Via Livenza 3, 00198, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Renzo
- G.B. Bietti Foundation-IRCCS, Department of Neurophysiology of Vision and Neurophthalmology, Via Livenza 3, 00198, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Martelli
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Dipartimento Tecnologie e Salute, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Fadda
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Dipartimento Tecnologie e Salute, Rome, Italy
| | - Jean Schoenen
- Headache Research Unit, Department of Neurology-CHR Citadelle, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Francesco Pierelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, "Sapienza" University of Rome Polo Pontino, Latina, Italy.,IRCCS-Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy
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Coppola G, Bracaglia M, Di Lenola D, Iacovelli E, Di Lorenzo C, Serrao M, Evangelista M, Parisi V, Schoenen J, Pierelli F. Lateral inhibition in the somatosensory cortex during and between migraine without aura attacks: Correlations with thalamocortical activity and clinical features. Cephalalgia 2015; 36:568-78. [DOI: 10.1177/0333102415610873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background We studied lateral inhibition in the somatosensory cortex of migraineurs during and between attacks, and searched for correlations with thalamocortical activity and clinical features. Participants and methods Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) were obtained by electrical stimulation of the right median (M) or ulnar (U) nerves at the wrist or by simultaneous stimulation of both nerves (MU) in 41 migraine without aura patients, 24 between (MO), 17 during attacks, and in 17 healthy volunteers (HVs). We determined the percentage of lateral inhibition of the N20–P25 component by using the formula [(100)–MU/(M + U)*100]. We also studied high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) reflecting thalamocortical activation. Results In migraine, both lateral inhibition (MO 27.9% vs HVs 40.2%; p = 0.009) and thalamocortical activity (MO 0.5 vs HVs 0.7; p = 0.02) were reduced between attacks, but not during. In MO patients, the percentage of lateral inhibition negatively correlated with days elapsed since the last migraine attack ( r = −0.510, p = 0.01), monthly attack duration ( r = −0.469, p = 0.02) and severity ( r = −0.443, p = 0.03), but positively with thalamocortical activity ( r = −0.463, p = 0.02). Conclusions We hypothesize that abnormal migraine cycle-dependent dynamics of connectivity between subcortical and cortical excitation/inhibition networks may contribute to clinical features of MO and recurrence of attacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Coppola
- G.B. Bietti Foundation-IRCCS, Department of Neurophysiology of Vision and Neurophthalmology, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Bracaglia
- “Sapienza” University of Rome Polo Pontino Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Italy
| | - Davide Di Lenola
- “Sapienza” University of Rome Polo Pontino Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Italy
| | - Elisa Iacovelli
- “Sapienza” University of Rome Polo Pontino Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Italy
| | | | - Mariano Serrao
- “Sapienza” University of Rome Polo Pontino Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Italy
| | - Maurizio Evangelista
- Istituto di Anestesiologia, Rianimazione e Terapia del Dolore, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore/CIC, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Parisi
- G.B. Bietti Foundation-IRCCS, Department of Neurophysiology of Vision and Neurophthalmology, Rome, Italy
| | - Jean Schoenen
- Headache Research Unit, Department of Neurology-CHR Citadelle, University of Liège, Belgium
| | - Francesco Pierelli
- “Sapienza” University of Rome Polo Pontino Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Italy
- INM Neuromed IRCCS, Italy
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Coppola G, Tinelli E, Lepre C, Iacovelli E, Di Lorenzo C, Di Lorenzo G, Serrao M, Pauri F, Fiermonte G, Bianco F, Pierelli F. Dynamic changes in thalamic microstructure of migraine without aura patients: a diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging study. Eur J Neurol 2013; 21:287-e13. [DOI: 10.1111/ene.12296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2013] [Accepted: 09/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G. Coppola
- Department of Neurophysiology of Vision and Neurophthalmology; G.B. Bietti Foundation IRCCS; Rome Italy
| | - E. Tinelli
- Neuroradiology Section; Department of Neurology and Psychiatry; ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | - C. Lepre
- Neurology Section; Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies; ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | - E. Iacovelli
- Neurology Section; Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies; ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | | | - G. Di Lorenzo
- Laboratory of Psychophysiology; Psychiatric Clinic; Department of Systems Medicine; University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’; Rome Italy
| | - M. Serrao
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies; ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome Polo Pontino; Latina Italy
| | - F. Pauri
- Neurology Section; Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies; ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | - G. Fiermonte
- Neurology Section; Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies; ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | - F. Bianco
- Neurology Section; Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies; ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome; Rome Italy
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Coppola G, Parisi V, Di Lorenzo C, Serrao M, Magis D, Schoenen J, Pierelli F. Lateral inhibition in visual cortex of migraine patients between attacks. J Headache Pain 2013; 14:20. [PMID: 23565983 PMCID: PMC3620512 DOI: 10.1186/1129-2377-14-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2012] [Accepted: 02/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The interictal deficit of habituation to repetitive visual stimuli in migraine patients could be due to deficient intracortical inhibition and/or to low cortical pre-activation levels. Which of these abnormalities contributes more to the habituation deficit cannot be determined with the common methods used to record transient visual responses. We investigated lateral inhibition in the visual cortex during the migraine cycle and in healthy subjects by using differential temporal modulations of radial windmill-dartboard (WD) or partial-windmill (PW) visual patterns. Methods Transient (TR-VEP) and steady-state visual-evoked potentials (SS-VEP) were recorded in 65 migraine patients (21 without and 22 with aura between attacks; 22 patients during an attack) and in 21 healthy volunteers (HV). Three stimulations were used in each subject: classic checkerboard pattern (contrast-reversion 3.1Hz), WD and PW (contrast-reversion ~4Hz). For each randomly presented stimulation protocol, 600 sweeps were acquired and off-line partitioned in 6 blocks of 100. Fourier analysis allowed data to extract in SS-VEP the fundamental (1H) and the second harmonic (2H) components that reflect respectively short-(WD) and long- range lateral inhibition (attenuation of 2H in WD compared to PW). Results Compared to HV, migraineurs recorded interictally had significantly less habituation of the N1-P1 TR-VEP component over subsequent blocks and they tended to have a smaller 1st block amplitude. 1H amplitude in the 1st block of WD SS-VEP was significantly greater than in HV and habituated in successive blocks, contrasting with an amplitude increase in HV. Both the interictal TR-VEP and SS-VEP abnormalities normalized during an attack. There was no significant between group difference in the PW 2H amplitude and its attenuation. When data of HV and migraine patients were combined, the habituation slope of WD-VEP 1H was negatively correlated with that of TR-VEP N1-P1 and with number of days since the last migraine attack. Conclusion These results are in favour of a migraine cycle-dependent imbalance between excitation and inhibition in the visual cortex. We hypothesize that an interictal hypoactivity of monaminergic pathways may cause a functional disconnection of the thalamus in migraine leading to an abnormal intracortical short-range lateral inhibition that could contribute to the habituation deficit observed during stimulus repetition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Coppola
- Departmen of Neurophysiology of Vision and Neuroophtalmology, G,B, Bietti Foundation IRCCS, Via Livenza 3-00198, Rome, Italy.
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