Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials in Migraine‐Evidence of Increased Side Differences During the Pain‐Free Interval

Abstract

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) were recorded in 38 unselected patients (6 m./32 f.; age 18-54 yrs.) with various forms of migraine, during the pain-free interval. The values were compared to those of 50 control persons (18 m./32 f.; age 17-75 yrs.). Peak latencies (PL I-VI), interpeak latencies (IPL I-III, III-V, I-V) and side differences of all peaks (delta I-VI) were calculated. In contrast to PL's of migraine patients, all PL's of control persons were normally distributed. In 6 migraine patients (2 with basilar migraine) PL's were pathologically delayed. Statistical analysis did not show any significant difference in regard to PL's and IPL's between migraine patients and controls. However, side differences of all peaks (except peak IV,VI) were significantly increased in migraine patients as compared to controls. Our results indicate a slight but permanent impairment of brainstem function in migraine.

How migraines impact cognitive function

“…NEUROLOGY 2007;68: [1417][1418][1419][1420][1421][1422][1423][1424] Some studies report no association between migraine headaches and cognitive functioning, [1][2][3][4] whereas others report that migraineurs show deficiencies in tasks involving attention, verbal ability, and memory. [5][6][7][8] Consistent with the latter findings, some studies show that migraineurs have alterations in measures of cerebral blood flow and evoked potentials [9][10][11] and are at increased risk for subclinical brain lesions 12,13 and stroke. 14 There are numerous reasons for these discrepant results, including differences in sample selection (with the majority being small and obtained from specialized clinics), methodologies used in conducting the neuropsychological examinations, and case definition.…”

Electrophysiological response patterns of primary sensory cortices in migraine

“…There were reported normal interictal latencies [22, 39, 57-59], increased latencies (especially for wave V) [60,61], in particular during the attack [57,58], and inter-aural asymmetries [60], especially in migraine with aura [62]. A negative correlation was also described between discomfort caused by low-intensity stimulations (55 dB) and wave IV-V amplitude [22].…”

Auditory brainstem response in pediatric migraine: During the attack and asymptomatic period

“…While some authors observed no abnormalities in brainstem responses [23,25,28], others have described some alterations of brainstem functions in migrainours [7,26,27,[29][30][31]. In this study, we aimed to document if any hearing changes were present in children suffering from migraine during or/and between migraine attacks.…”

“…Auditory hallucinations, tinnitus, fluctuating hearing loss, phonophobia and sudden deafness are previously reported auditory symptoms [1,5,6,[18][19][20][21][22]. Because of ABR latency variables seem to be a sensitive measures of auditory dysfunction, hearing parameters in migraine has been studied with ABR in the relevant literature [7,13,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]. In Table 6, we summarized findings of the studies which evaluate the auditory alterations of migrainours with ABR.…”

“…In Table 6, we summarized findings of the studies which evaluate the auditory alterations of migrainours with ABR. Majority of these studies performed during asymptomatic period in adult patients [7,23,26,31]. In experimental studies [24,25], attack has been induced by drugs which influenced the plasma serotonin level.…”