title: The blink reflex test does not show abnormalities in a large group of patients with chronic migraine.
abstract: The blink reflex - a simple, non-invasive and inexpensive test - may be indicative of lesions or dysfunctions of the brainstem, and particularly assesses the trigeminal-facial arch. Results from alterations of the blink reflex in patients with headaches have provided controversial data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Registration of the waves R1 and R2 (ipsilateral to the stimulus) and R2c (contralateral to the stimulus) by electroneuromyography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A large number of controls (n=160) and patients with chronic migraine (n=160) were studied. No significant differences were observed between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is possible that this relatively simple and primitive reflex is not affected unless there is significant damage to the brainstem.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, São PauloSP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Joseph Bruno Bidin
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, São PauloSP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Yara Dadalti
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Fragoso
mesh_terms: D001767:Blinking / Q000502:physiology*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology