Changes in inter-network functional connectivity of large-scale brain networks in patients with chronic migraine

Abstract

Migraine is a neurovascular disease characterized by headache and accompanied by mood disorders and impaired attention. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at rest allows to identify changes in the functional connectivity (FC) of various neural networks of the brain associated with the pathogenesis of pain in migraine. Previous studies of patients with migraine describe a change in FC only in certain brain structures or within some of its neural networks. However violation of the interconnected functioning of neural networks is of predominant importance within the framework of a developing theory of the common nature of the neuro- and psychopathological process. The aim of the study is to consider pathogenetic mechanism of migraine and concomitant psychopathology in the aspect of changes in the inter-network functional connectivity. Methods and patients. FMRI scanning of 25 healthy people as a control group and of 25 patients at rest between migraine attacks was performed. Post-processing and secondary analysis were performed using the CONN functional connectivity toolbox version 18b software based on an unpaired t-test and regression analysis, taking into account the Benjamini-Hochberg correction. A set of questionnaires and tests was used to clarify the qualitative characteristics of pain and the accompanying psychopathology in the patients. Results. An increase in FC in patients was observed in comparison with the control group between the salience and sensorimotor networks, the salience and default mode networks, and also within default mode networks; a decrease in FC was observed between the salience network and the dorsal attention network and within dorsal attention network. Conclusion. The obtained results indicate a common nature of pain and affective disorders in patients with migraine and identify a possible mechanism of developing chronicity. The data of the study can be used to objectify the patient’s condition in the process of clinical diagnosis.