title: Autonomic dysfunction and endothelial changes in migraine sufferers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were: 1) to quantify endothelial function by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and atherosclerotic vascular lesions by intima-media thickness (IMT) in migraine sufferers without any of the common atherosclerotic risk factors, comparing them with paired controls; 2) to evaluate their potential autonomic function impairment; and 3) to seek any correlations with vascular modifications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients suffering from migraine and 20 matched controls were studied, using echo-color-Doppler imaging to measure IMT in the carotid district and FMD of the brachial artery in the non-dominant arm. Autonomic function was studied using the Tilt, Lying-to-Standing, Valsalva, Hand grip, Deep breath, Stroop and Sweat tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Migraine sufferers had lower FMD and higher IMT values than controls. The former also had autonomic changes revealed by the Tilt, Valsalva, Hand Grip, Deep Breath and Stroop tests, which correlated with their reduced FMD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Autonomic dysfunctions modify vascular reactivity in migraine sufferers and this type of change can probably determine endothelial dysfunction and intima-media thickening.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiological, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossato
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Veronese
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maggioni
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vedovetto
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zancan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Biasiolo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bilora
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*