title: The Association Between Clinical Characteristics of Migraine and Brain GABA Levels: An Exploratory Study.
abstract: Migraine is prevalent and disabling yet is poorly understood. One way to better understand migraine is to examine its clinical characteristics and potential biomarkers such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The primary objective of this study was to explore whether relevant disease characteristics of migraine are associated with brain GABA levels. Twenty adults fulfilling the established diagnostic criteria for migraine and 20 age- and gender-matched controls completed this cross-sectional study. Pain, central sensitization, negative emotional state, and perceived disability were measured using Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire-2, Central Sensitization Inventory, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21, and Headache Impact Test-6, respectively. Secondary analysis of brain GABA levels of the same cohort measured using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was conducted. The migraine group had significantly higher scores than the control group on pain, central sensitization, and disability. Correlation analyses showed fair positive association between GABA levels and pain and central sensitization scores. No association was found between GABA levels and emotional state and disability. These findings are preliminary evidence supporting the use of questionnaires and GABA levels in characterizing migraine better and broadening the diagnostic process. These findings also strengthen the rationale for the role of GABA in migraine pathophysiology and corroborate the potential of GABA as a migraine biomarker.
  
  
  
  Higher pain and central sensitization scores were associated with increased brain GABA levels in individuals with migraine. These findings offer preliminary evidence for the usefulness of measuring pain and central sensitization in migraine and provide some support for the possible role of GABA in migraine pathophysiology and its potential as a diagnostic marker.
authors.affiliation: The University of Sydney Faculty of Health Sciences, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia; University of the Philippines College of Allied Medical Professions, Manila, Philippines. Electronic address: magu5636@uni.sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Maria-Eliza R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Aguila
authors.affiliation: The University of Sydney Faculty of Health Sciences, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Trudy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rebbeck
authors.affiliation: The University of Sydney Faculty of Health Sciences, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Leaver
authors.affiliation: Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney Medical School, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia; Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Birtinya, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lagopoulos
authors.affiliation: The University of Sydney Faculty of Health Sciences, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Patrick C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.affiliation: The University of Sydney Faculty of Health Sciences, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia and The University of New South Wales, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hübscher
authors.affiliation: The University of Sydney Faculty of Health Sciences, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Kathryn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Refshauge
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D010146:Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D066244:Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012372:ROC Curve; D012044:Regression Analysis; D057566:Self Report; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
keywords: Gamma-aminobutyric acid; central sensitization; disability; headache; migraine disorders; questionnaires