Advanced brain MRI may help understand the link between migraine and multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background There is a clinical association between migraine and multiple sclerosis. Main body Migraine and MS patients share similar demographics, with the highest incidence among young, female and otherwise healthy patients. The same hormonal constellations/changes trigger disease exacerbation in both entities. Migraine prevalence is increased in MS patients, which is further enhanced by disease-modifying treatment. Clinical data show that onset of migraine typically starts years before the clinical diagnosis of MS, suggesting that there is either a unidirectional relationship with migraine predisposing to MS, and/or a “shared factor” underlying both conditions. Brain imaging studies show white matter lesions in both MS and migraine patients. Neuroinflammatory mechanisms likely play a key role, at least as a shared downstream pathway. In this review article, we provide an overview of the literature about 1) the clinical association between migraine and MS as well as 2) brain MRI studies that help us better understand the mechanistic relationship between both diseases with implications on their underlying pathophysiology. Conclusion Studies suggest a migraine history predisposes patients to develop MS. Advanced brain MR imaging may shed light on shared and distinct features, while helping us better understand mechanisms underlying both disease entities.

Study on the correlation between IL-12p70, IL-17A and migraine in children

“…In the early stage of neurodegeneration driven by astrocytes and macrophages/microglia, the inflammatory response of CD4 + Th17 cells, CD4 + Th1 cells, IFN-γ, IL-12, TNF-α, and NO led to axon injury and demyelination ( 17 ). In addition, magnetic resonance examination of the skull in clinical studies showed that several migraine sufferers had leukoencephalopathy, which shared the neuroinflammatory mechanism with neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis ( 18 ). While, serum IL-12p70 concentration was significantly different between children with pediatric migraine and those with encephalitis and headache, suggesting that IL-12P70 played a more important role in the mechanism related to neuroinflammation of migraine.…”

Headache in Multiple Sclerosis: A Narrative Review

“…These conditions may be correlated with the presence of small lesions in the cortical or midbrain [45]. Brain imaging studies show similar white matter abnormalities in patients with MS and migraine [46]. A disturbance in the antioxidant system of the body may be a contributing factor in the coexistence of MS and migraine [47].…”