Magnetic resonance spectroscopy in migraine.
31-phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is a technique developed for the non-invasive study of energy metabolism in living subjects. It determines the concentrations of high and low energy phosphates in resting and activated conditions, and of intracellular pH. 31P-MRS has been applied to the study of migraine, both during and in between attacks. Intracellular brain pH remains unchanged during the migraine attack, suggesting that ischemia does not play a relevant role in the origin of the neurological signs. During and in-between attacks, migraineurs display abnormalities in energy metabolism of brain and muscle, consisting of reduced levels of phosphocreatine, reduced cellular-free energy and increased rate of ATP biosynthesis. We suggest that these abnormalities in energy metabolism predispose migraineurs to develop an attack under conditions of increased brain energy demand.
Montagna
P
P
Institute of Clinical Neurology, University of Bologna, Italy.
D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*