Functional neuroimaging of headaches.
Functional neuroimaging, mainly PET and functional MRI, is the main tool that allows the capturing of neurovascular events during a headache attack. In migraine, functional imaging has clarified the underlying pathophysiology of the visual aura, whereas in migraine without aura, brainstem findings suggest a dysfunctional pain system. In cluster headache, the activation and morphological changes seen in a region posterior and inferior to the hypothalamus has provided a useful therapeutic target using deep-brain stimulation. We will discuss the main neuroimaging findings pertaining to the pathophysiology of these two common headache disorders, migraine and cluster headache.
Sánchez del Rio
Margarita
M
Department of Neurology, Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, Spain. msanchezdelrio@ruberinternacional.es <msanchezdelrio@ruberinternacional.es>
Alvarez Linera
Juan
J
D020773:Headache Disorders / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed / Q000379:methods*