Migraine and magnetic resonance spectroscopy: A systematic review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Migraine and magnetic resonance spectroscopy

T2 - A systematic review

AU - Younis, Samaira

AU - Hougaard, Anders

AU - Vestergaard, Mark B.

AU - Larsson, Henrik B.W.

AU - Ashina, Messoud

PY - 2017/6

Y1 - 2017/6

N2 - Purpose of review: To present an updated and streamlined overview of the metabolic and biochemical aspect of the migraine pathophysiology based on findings from phosphorous (31P) and hydrogen (1H) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies. Recent findings: Despite of the variation in the methodology and quality of the MRS migraine studies over time, some results were consistent and reproducible. 31P-MRS studies suggested reduced availability of neuronal energy and implied a mitochondrial dysfunction in the migraine brain. 1H-MRS studies reported interictal abnormalities in the excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, glutamate and g-aminobutyric acid (GABA), suggesting persistent altered excitability in migraine patients. N-Acetylaspartate levels were decreased in migraine, probably due to a mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal energy metabolism. The reported abnormalities may increase the susceptibility of migraine patients to excitatory stimulation, such as migraine attack triggers. Summary: Several biochemical aspects of the migraine pathophysiology remain to be elucidated using MRS, such as the migraine attack, correlation to disease severity, and medication efficacy. Nevertheless, to identify a biomarker in migraine, MRS may be a valuable noninvasive technique.

AB - Purpose of review: To present an updated and streamlined overview of the metabolic and biochemical aspect of the migraine pathophysiology based on findings from phosphorous (31P) and hydrogen (1H) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies. Recent findings: Despite of the variation in the methodology and quality of the MRS migraine studies over time, some results were consistent and reproducible. 31P-MRS studies suggested reduced availability of neuronal energy and implied a mitochondrial dysfunction in the migraine brain. 1H-MRS studies reported interictal abnormalities in the excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, glutamate and g-aminobutyric acid (GABA), suggesting persistent altered excitability in migraine patients. N-Acetylaspartate levels were decreased in migraine, probably due to a mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal energy metabolism. The reported abnormalities may increase the susceptibility of migraine patients to excitatory stimulation, such as migraine attack triggers. Summary: Several biochemical aspects of the migraine pathophysiology remain to be elucidated using MRS, such as the migraine attack, correlation to disease severity, and medication efficacy. Nevertheless, to identify a biomarker in migraine, MRS may be a valuable noninvasive technique.

KW - Glutamate

KW - Magnetic resonance spectroscopy

KW - Metabolism

KW - Migraine

KW - Mitochondrial dysfunction

U2 - 10.1097/WCO.0000000000000436

DO - 10.1097/WCO.0000000000000436

M3 - Review

C2 - 28240609

AN - SCOPUS:85014035827

SN - 1350-7540

VL - 30

SP - 246

EP - 262

JO - Current Opinion in Neurology

JF - Current Opinion in Neurology

IS - 3

ER -