Effects of migraine on the brain
When people take regularly migraine suffer, it is with significant changes in the brain tied together This can be a sign of an underlying disease of the small vessels in the brain, which can have a significant impact on brain function.
In a new study involving experts from University of Southern California investigated the relationship between migraine and enlarged perivascular spaces in the brain. The results will be presented at the annual meeting Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) presented.
Investigate different types of migraine
Ten people participated in the study chronic migraineten people with episodic migraine without aura and five healthy people, the latter forming the control group. All participants were between 25 and 60 years old.
In the investigation, so-called 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (7T-MRI) used to structural microvascular changes to compare what occurs in different types of migraine.
“To our knowledge, this is the first study to use ultrahigh resolution MRI to investigate microvascular changes in the brain due to migraine, particularly in the perivascular spaces‘ explains the author of the study Wilson Xu in a press release Radiological Society of North America.
Using the 7T MRI technique, the team was able to take pictures of the brain much higher resolution and better quality than other MRI types. This made it possible to detect much smaller changes in brain tissue after the onset of migraine, according to the expert.
Enlarged perivascular spaces
It turned out that the number enlarged perivascular spaces in the center semioval in the brain in participants with migraine was significantly higher than those in the control group.
Perivascular spaces are fluid filled and surround the blood vessels in the brain. The perivascular spaces are influenced by different factors, such as Blood-brain barrier abnormalities and infection.
If the perivascular spaces are enlarged, this may be indicative of an underlying Disease of the small cerebral vessels be, explains the team.
The experts further report that in migraine sufferers the number of enlarged perivascular spaces in the semioval center increases with the Severity of deep white matter hyperintensity correlated.
“Although we did not detect significant changes in the severity of white matter lesions in patients with and without migraine, these white matter lesions were significantly associated with the presence of enlarged perivascular spacesXu explained.
According to the expert, this indicated that changes in the perivascular spaces in the future Development of further white matter lesions could lead
Does Migraine Cause Glymphatic System Disruption?
In addition, the team hypothesizes that significant differences in the perivascular spaces in people with migraine are due to a Disturbance of the glymphatic system in the brain can indicate.
The glymphatic system is a waste removal system that uses so-called perivascular channels to soluble proteins and metabolites of the remove central nervous system.
However, according to the researchers, it is not known whether such changes influence the development of migraine or are a consequence of migraine. Therefore, further studies are now needed to better understand the relationship between structural changes in the brain and the development and type of migraine.
It could also open up new personalized ways to diagnose and treat migraines, according to the experts. (as)
Author and source information
This text complies with the requirements of specialist medical literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been reviewed by medical professionals.
Important note:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. It cannot replace a visit to the doctor.
