No structural brain alterations in new daily persistent headache – a cross sectional VBM/SBM study

Abstract

Objective To identify grey matter alterations in patients suffering new daily persistent headache to enrich the pathophysiological concept of this rare headache disorder characterised by a distinct, clearly remembered onset and its instant chronification. Method Magnetic resonance-based voxel-based and surface-based morphometry was used to investigate 23 patients suffering from new daily persistent headache and 23 age- and gender-matched healthy controls with 1.5 Tesla MRI. Independent statistical analysis was performed at three sites using statistical parametric mapping, as well as FSL(FMRIB Software Library)-based approaches. Results No grey matter changes were detected using this sophisticated and cross-checked method. Conclusion The absence of structural brain changes in patients with new daily persistent headache contribute to the recent discussion regarding structural alterations in primary headache disorders in general and does not provide evidence for grey matter changes being associated with the pathophysiology of new daily persistent headache. Future research will have to determine the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of this disorder.

Alterations in the structure and function of the brain in adolescents with new daily persistent headache: A pilot MRI study

“…In light of the present and previous findings, alterations in brain structure related to NDPH may be different in the developing brain compared to the adult brain 18,19 . In adult patients with NDPH, previous research did not identify differences in gray matter brain structure compared to healthy controls.…”

“…Total scores range from 0 to 60, with higher scores indicating greater disability. Functional disability levels are defined as: no/minimal disability (0-12), moderate (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29), severe (≥ 30). Pain sensitivity was assessed with the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ).…”

“…As examples, alterations in pain‐related regions, including the insula, frontal/prefrontal areas, superior temporal lobe, thalamus, anterior cingulate cortex, basal ganglia, and the cerebellum, are frequently reported in patients with chronic headaches, and the degree of brain alterations is associated with the clinical severity of the headache. However, investigating gray matter and white matter abnormalities in adult patients with NDPH, no structural alterations were identified in a retrospective chart review 18 and in a cross‐sectional study using voxel‐ and surfaced‐based morphometry 19 …”

“…However, investigating gray matter and white matter abnormalities in adult patients with NDPH, no structural alterations were identified in a retrospective chart review 18 and in a cross-sectional study using voxel-and surfaced-based morphometry. 19 As NDPH has an increased prevalence in youth 20 and untreated chronic pain in pediatric patients can lead to a high risk of pain and psychological disorders later in life, 21 children are particularly important to study. The present study used multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures to explore functional connectivity and structural brain alterations in pediatric patients with NDPH compared to age-and sex-matched healthy controls.…”

Neu aufgetretener täglicher Kopfschmerz

“…Da alle auf eine Liquordruckentlastung gut ansprachen, ist in dieser Fallserie eher von einem symptomatischen NDPH bei Liquordruckerhöhung auszugehen und nicht von einer idiopathischen Form. In einer Studie mit morphometrischer MRT-Bildgebung (voxel-based und surfacebased) zeigten sich keine strukturellen Unterschiede zwischen Patienten mit NDPH und gesunden Kontrollprobanden [38].…”