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Brain Metabolism and Structure in Chronic Migraine

  • Chronic Daily Headache (SJ Wang, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this paper is to review and synthesize current literature in which neurochemical and structural brain imaging were used to investigate chronic migraine (CM) pathophysiology and to further discuss the clinical implications.

Recent Findings

Spectroscopic and structural MRI studies have shown the presence of both impaired metabolism and structural alterations in the brain of CM patients. Metabolic changes in key brain regions support the notion of altered energetics and homeostasis as part of CM pathophysiology. Furthermore, CM, like other chronic pain disorders, may undergo structural reorganization in pain-related brain regions following near persistent endogenous painful input. Finally, both imaging techniques may provide potential biomarkers of disease state and progression and may help guide novel therapeutic interventions or strategies.

Summary

Spectroscopic and structural MRI have revealed novel aspects of CM pathophysiology. Findings from the former support the metabolic theory of migraine pathogenesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, The Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

    Kuan-Lin Lai

  2. Faculty of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan

    Kuan-Lin Lai

  3. Brain Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Kuan-Lin Lai & David M. Niddam

  4. Institute of Brain Science, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155, Section 2, Linong Street, Taipei, 112, Taiwan

    David M. Niddam

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Correspondence to David M. Niddam.

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Conflict of Interest

Kuan-Lin Lai and David M. Niddam declare no conflicts of interest.

Dr. Niddam reports grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (105-2628-B-010-011-MY2; 107-2314-B-010-018-MY3), and from the Brain Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, from The Featured Areas Research Center Program within the framework of the Higher Education Sprout Project by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan.

Dr. Lai reports grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (108-2321-B-010-014-MY2; 109-2314-B-075-049); Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan (109-TDU-B-211-114001); and the Brain Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, from The Featured Areas Research Center Program within the framework of the Higher Education Sprout Project by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan.

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Lai, KL., Niddam, D.M. Brain Metabolism and Structure in Chronic Migraine. Curr Pain Headache Rep 24, 69 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-020-00903-6

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