Changes in cortical dynamics in the preictal stage of a migraine attack.
Neurophysiologic studies suggest that migraineurs without aura have a dysfunction of cortical information processing in the pain-free interval. In this study, the advanced method of nonlinear multielectrode sleep-EEG analysis is used to investigate changes of cortical activity in the preictal time span. Five patients (four women, one man; age range, 29 to 58 years) experiencing migraine without aura participated in the study. The patients spent two blocks in the sleep laboratory. The first block was taken in a headache-free interictal time interval, and the second block when the onset of a migraine attack was most likely. After a nocturnal migraine attack, the patient was asked to mark the maximum of migraine pain in a surface-head scheme. The comparison of preictal and interictal EEGs enabled the authors to obtain a topographical view of changes in cortical dynamics. In each patient map, an area was found that displayed a pronounced focus indicating the region of maximum change in dimensional complexity. It shows a clearly recognizable correspondence with the scalp topography of the later pain perception. These findings indicate an association between cortical status and pain lateralization in the preictal time span.
Fritzer
Gunther
G
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany. fritzer@psychiatry.uni-kiel.de
Strenge
Hans
H
Göder
Robert
R
Gerber
Wolf-Dieter
WD
Aldenhoff
Josef
J
D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020326:Migraine without Aura / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000379:methods*; D012640:Seizures / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D012890:Sleep