Evaluation of white matter hyperintensities and retinal fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, inner-plexiform layer, and choroidal layer in migraine patients

Abstract

The aim of our study is to assess retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), the ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner-plexiform layer (IPL), and choroidal layer in migraine patients with white matter lesion (WML) or without WML, using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). To our study, 77 migraine patients who are diagnosed with migraine in accordance to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD)-3 beta and 43 healthy control are included. In accordance to cranial MRI, migraine patients are divided into two groups as those who have white matter lesions (39 patients), and those who do not have a lesion (38 patients). OCT was performed for participants. The average age of participants was comparable. The RNFL average thickness parameter in the migraine group was significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.01). However, no significant difference was detected among those migraine patients who have WML, and those who do not have. No significant difference is detected among all groups in terms of IPL, GCL, and choroidal layer measuring scales. The proofs showing that affected retinal nerve fiber layer are increased in migraine patients. However, it is not known whether this may affect other layers of retina, or whether there is a correlation between affected retinal structures and white matter lesions. In our study, we found thinner RNFL in migraine patients when we compared with controls but IPL, GCL, and choroid layer values were similar between each patient groups and controls. Also, all parameters were similar between patients with WML and without WML. Studies in this regard are required.

Retinal Neurovascular Structural Changes in Optical Coherence Tomography and the Relationship between These Changes and White Matter Hyperintensities in Patients with Migraine

“…There has been some inconsistency in the findings of previous research regarding changes in GCL thickness in patients with migraine. While one study found the GCL was found to be significantly thinner in patients with migraine [18], another found no significant difference between the GCL thickness of migraine patients and controls [19]. We found GCL thickness in both eyes to be significantly lower in the migraine group than in the control group.…”

Structural and Microvascular Changes in the Macular Are Associated With Severity of White Matter Lesions

“…Additionally, changes in the deep capillary plexus may be as a result of neuroglial loss, which results in impaired interaction between neurons, glial cells, and vascular cells (impaired neurovascular coupling) ( 27 ). Neuroimaging reports have shown the gray matter changes, while retinal morphological reports have shown changes in the sublayers of the retina, which constitute the DCP ( 28 ) in WMH, indicating the impairment of neurons and glial cells. Since neural activity is associated with the local blood flow ( 29 ), alterations in the neuroglial tissue in the inner retina could lead to secondary decrease in the flow density in the capillaries.…”

Retinal sublayer defect is independently associated with the severity of hypertensive white matter hyperintensity

“…A surge of evidence has shown that the retina is a reliable, useful, and convenient medium to reflect the changes that occur in the brain (Erskine & Herrera, ; London et al, ). Previous reports using the OCT have shown that patients with WMH have functional visual deficits and anatomical changes in the retinal structures (Kim et al, ; Tak, Sengul, & Bilak, ); these studies also showed that patients with WMH undergo loss of retinal ganglion cells and have reduced retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) when compared to the healthy controls. Reports from these studies suggested that thinning of the RNFL may be present before the appearance of clinical manifestations and thus may be a manifestation of subclinical brain disease.…”