Migraine — New Perspectives from Chaos Theory

Abstract

Converging from a number of disciplines, non-linear systems theory and in particular chaos theory offer new descriptive and prescriptive insights into physiological systems. This paper briefly reviews an approach to physiological systems from these perspectives and outlines how these concepts can be applied to the study of migraine. It suggests a wide range of potential applications including new approaches to classification, treatment and pathophysiological mechanisms. A hypothesis is developed that suggests that dysfunctional consequences can result from a mismatch between the complexity of the environment and the system that is seeking to regulate it and that the migraine phenomenon is caused by an incongruity between the complexity of mid brain sensory integration and cortical control networks. Chaos theory offers a new approach to the study of migraine that complements existing frameworks but may more accurately reflect underlying physiological mechanisms.

A longitudinal study of balance in migraineurs

“…Static posturography does not accurately distinguish between imbalance of peripheral or central vestibular origin [15]. The fact that the imbalance in migraineurs is most obvious when there is disruption to multiple sensory inputs suggests that it could be related to failure of multisensory integration [16], perhaps due to subclinical asymptomatic cerebellar dysfunction [3]. There could also be lack of practice effects in that migraineurs could exercise less, because of headache or because of the minor imbalance itself or because of both, so that their balance actually deteriorates.…”

“…Of the 25 migraineurs who participated in the first study [2], 19 participated in the second study, [14][15][16][17][18][19] Correspondence: Gülden Akdal There were 9 migraineurs with aura and 10 without aura, diagnosed according to the international Classification of Headache Disorders II [10]. The mean age of the migraineurs was 36.7 ± 9.3 and that of controls was 37.3 ± 9.2 (p > 0.05).…”

Triggers, Protectors, and Predictors in Episodic Migraine

“…Episodic migraine is a paroxysmal disorder and attacks typically occur randomly, often in clusters lasting days or weeks. Non-linear mathematics, and chaos theory in particular, may better explain the seemingly arbitrary nature of migraine attacks (11) and its underlying physiology such as cortical spreading depression (12). This may explain why most patients cannot find triggers which invariably produce migraine.…”

Assessing Brain Pathophysiology through Non-Linear Analysis of MEG in Ιdiopathic Generalized Epilepsy Cases

“…These data suggest that increased neural chaos in atients with schizophrenia p may influence brain processes that can cause random-like disorganization of mental processes. Kernick [22] reviews an approach to physiological systems with non-linear systems and chaos theory and outlines how these concepts can be applied to the study of migraine. Chaos theory offers a new approach to the study of migraine that complements existing frameworks but may more accurately reflect underlying physiological mechanisms.…”