Migraines Are Related to Brain Abnormalities: Study

Migraine is a common distressing disorder that affects the quality of life of many. aA World Health Organization data states that more than 300 million people suffer from migraines worldwide.

A latest study conducted by Italian scientists links migraines to brain abnormalities that are present at birth and others that develop over time, according to a news release.

"For the first time, we assessed cortical thickness and surface area abnormalities in patients with migraine, which are two components of cortical volume that provide different and complementary pieces of information. Indeed, cortical surface area increases dramatically during late fetal development as a consequence of cortical folding, while cortical thickness changes dynamically throughout the entire life span as a consequence of development and disease," Massimo Filippi, M.D., director of the Neuroimaging Research Unit at the University Ospedale San Raffaele, said in a press release.

The study involved 63 migraine patients and a control group of 18 healthy individuals. Using MRI they acquired T2 weighted and 3-D T1-weighted brain images from both the groups. The cortical thickness and surface area was measured using special software and statistical analysis.

They noticed a reduction in the cortical thickness and surface areas of the migraine patients when compared to control group. The exact location of the cortex abnormalities tended to differ between the half of patients who had aura and the half who did not, reports Webmd.

Dr Filippi explains that the cortical abnormalities that occur in migraine patients were due to the balance between intrinsic predisposition and disease related processes. With the help of accurate measurements they can characterize migraine patients better and improve understanding of the pathophysiological processes underlying the condition.

The study was published in the journal Radiology.