Reduced Frontal P3a Amplitude in Migraine Patients during the Pain-Free Period.
OBJECTIVE
Neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies both suggest that frontal lobe dysfunction is present in migraineurs. Since P3a abnormalities manifest in other diseases associated with attention problems, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, we hypothesized that migraine patients have P3a abnormalities, particularly in the frontal region.


METHODS
Event-related potentials were measured using a passive auditory oddball paradigm in 16 female migraineurs (aged 22.9±2.0 years, mean±SD) during the interictal period and in 16 age-matched healthy females (22.6±2.0 years). The amplitudes and latencies were analyzed independently using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Nonparametric statistical testing using a cluster-level randomization method was performed to localize the abnormalities.


RESULTS
The mean P3a amplitude at frontal areas during the third trials was significantly lower in migraineurs (1.06 µV) than in controls (1.69 µV, p=0.026). P3a amplitudes were negatively correlated with the duration of the migraine history (r=-0.618, p=0.014). Cluster-based nonparametric statistical analysis showed that the amplitudes over left frontal areas were significantly lower in migraine patients than in controls.


CONCLUSIONS
A reduced P3a amplitude of migraineurs reflects attentional deficits and frontal dysfunction. The negative correlation between P3a amplitude and the duration of the migraine history suggests that attentional deficits and frontal dysfunction are either the cause or the result of headache.
Department of Neurology, Korea University Medical Center, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Department of Neurology, Jeju Medical Center of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju, Korea.
Yong Seo
YS
Koo
Deokwon
D
Ko
Gwan-Taek
GT
Lee
Kyungmi
K
Oh
Myung-Sun
MS
Kim
Kyung Hwan
KH
Kim
Chang-Hwan
CH
Im
Ki-Young
KY
Jung
P3a; attention; cognitive function; event-related potentials; frontal; migraine