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.
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany. fritzer@psychiatry.uni-kiel.de
Gunther
G
Fritzer
Hans
H
Strenge
Robert
R
Göder
Wolf-Dieter
WD
Gerber
Josef
J
Aldenhoff
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