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Intact blood−brain barrier during spontaneous attacks of migraine without aura: a 3T DCE ‐ MRI study
Author(s) -
Amin F. M.,
Hougaard A.,
Cramer S. P.,
Christensen C. E.,
Wolfram F.,
Larsson H. B. W.,
Ashina M.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
european journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1468-1331
pISSN - 1351-5101
DOI - 10.1111/ene.13341
Subject(s) - aura , migraine , medicine , ictal , magnetic resonance imaging , migraine with aura , blood–brain barrier , anesthesia , cortical spreading depression , electroencephalography , central nervous system , radiology , psychiatry
Background and purpose The integrity of the blood−brain barrier ( BBB ) has been questioned in migraine, but BBB permeability has never been investigated during spontaneous migraine attacks. In the present study, BBB permeability during spontaneous attacks of migraine without aura was investigated compared to an interictal state. Methods Seventy‐four patients suffering from migraine without aura were recruited to participate in this cross‐sectional dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging ( DCE ‐ MRI ) study. The patients were instructed to report at the hospital for DCE ‐ MRI scan during and outside of a spontaneous migraine attack. The primary end‐point was a difference in the BBB permeability ( ml /100 g/min) between the attack and the headache‐free days. The permeability was assessed in five different regions of interest ( ROI s) located in the anterior, middle and posterior cerebral area, brain stem, posterior pons and whole brain. The paired samples t test was used to compare K i (permeability) values between the attack and headache‐free days. Results Nineteen patients completed the study. Median time from onset of migraine attack to scan was 6.5 h (range 4.0–15.5 h). No change in the mean BBB permeability ( ml /100 g/min) was found between the attack and the headache‐free days in any of the measured ROI s. No relationship between the pain side or intensity and BBB permeability was found in 15 patients with unilateral pain during the examined attack. Conclusions It was demonstrated that the BBB permeability during spontaneous migraine attacks without aura was unchanged.