A Novel Hypothesis for Migraine Disease Mechanism: The Creation of a New Attractor Responsible for Migraine Disease Symptoms

Abstract

Migraine Disease (MD) is one of the primary headaches in which the pathophysiological mechanism is yet unknown. It is still unclear how the ictal phases’ periods are determined? Why can any small trigger sometimes initiate the ictal phase, and sometimes, even bigger triggers cannot? Considering the brain as a dynamic system and proposing a complex system model for that as a migraineur or a healthy subject is a viable method. Here, the interaction between whole neurons is analyzed rather than individual neurons. This model is a complex system with a chaotic attractor. With parameter alternations, this attractor changes from one scroll to double scroll, representing a healthy or a migraineur brain. In the proposed system, the attractor’s borders are the regions where every small trigger can start the ictal phase, while the outer areas are the non-sensitive brain situations. We believe that MD and Chua’s systems have certain behavioral similarities. This study aimed to explain the function of MD and offer a theory that adequately describes its behavior. Finally, it has been tried to discuss some physiological evidences such as Migraine Generator Network (MGN), Cortical Spreading Depression (CSD), and the role of Serotonin and other substances in relation to the expressed hypotheses. This insight may propose newer methods for preventing or curing MD. Knowing the functioning of dynamic systems and finding similar behaviors with MD on the one hand, as well as linking physiological and pathophysiological evidence with a quantitative model can be very useful in better understanding, managing, and controlling the MD.