Open AccessAltered structure of the vestibular cortex in patients with vestibular migraine
Author(s) -
Zhe Xia,
Gao Jie,
Chen Li,
Zhang Dongsheng,
Tang Min,
Yan Xuejiao,
Bai Fuxia,
Zhang Xin,
Zou Ze,
Chen Weibo,
Lei Xiaoyan,
Zhang Xiaoling
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 41
ISSN - 2162-3279
DOI - 10.1002/brb3.1572
Subject(s) - supramarginal gyrus , vestibular system , insula , medicine , voxel based morphometry , somatosensory system , superior frontal gyrus , white matter , neuroscience , psychology , audiology , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology , functional magnetic resonance imaging
Previous voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) studies have revealed changes in brain structure in patients with vestibular migraine (VM); these findings have improved the present understanding of pathophysiology. Few other studies have assessed the association between structural changes and the severity of dizziness in VM. This study aimed to examine the structural changes and cortical morphometric features associated with migraine and vertigo attacks in patients with VM. Methods Twenty patients with VM and 20 healthy normal volunteers were scanned on a 3‐tesla MRI scanner. The gray matter volume (GMV) was estimated using the automated Computational Anatomy Toolbox (CAT12). The relationship between clinical parameters and morphometric abnormalities was also analyzed in VM. Results Compared with controls, VM patients have decreased GMV in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), posterior insula–operculum regions, inferior parietal gyrus, and supramarginal gyrus. Moreover, patient scores on the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) score showed a negative correlation with GMV in the posterior insula–operculum regions. Conclusion These findings demonstrated abnormality in the central vestibular cortex and correlations between dizziness severity and GMV in core regions of the vestibular cortex of VM patients, suggesting a pathophysiological role of these core vestibular regions in VM patients.