Relationship Between Biofeedback and Oxidative Stress in Patients With Chronic Migraine

Abstract

Chronic migraine (1.5.1) is burdened with headache-related disability. During noxious stimulation, changes of cerebral blood flow enhance the release of oxygen free radicals that react with nitric oxide (NO). We investigated the role of biofeedback in limiting migraine disability by influencing oxidative stress. Peroxides, NO and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were analysed in 20 female subjects with chronic migraine and in 20 female healthy controls before and after biofeedback sessions. NO(x) levels (23.7 +/- 4.2 vs. 34.9 +/- 4.6 microm; P < 0.05) and SOD activity (6.5 +/- 1.0 vs. 8.0 +/- 0.7 U/ml; P < 0.05) were lower in migraine sufferers before treatment than in healthy controls, whereas peroxide levels (145.8 +/- 40.3 vs. 78.0 +/- 20.0 microm; P < 0.05) were higher in migraine sufferers before treatment than in healthy controls. In migraine sufferers NO(x) levels (23.7 +/- 4.2 vs. 31.3 +/- 7.1 microm; P < 0.05) and SOD activity (6.5 +/- 1.0 vs. 7.9 +/- 0.9 U/ml; P < 0.05) were lower before than after treatment, whereas peroxide levels (145.8 +/- 40.3 vs. 82.4 +/- 21.1 microm; P < 0.05) were higher before than after treatment. SOD serum activity correlated positively with NO(x) serum levels and negatively with peroxide serum levels in healthy controls and in chronic migraine sufferers before and after biofeedback. The mean Migraine Disability Assessment Score before biofeedback sessions was higher than after treatment (36.9 +/- 13.9 vs. 18.8 +/- 10.4; P < 0.001). The effectiveness of biofeedback in limiting chronic migraine may be related to muscular relaxation associated with decreased oxidative stress accompanied by psychological well-being.

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) polymorphisms and risk for migraine

“…Cu/Zn-superoxide-dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) concentrations have been found normal in platelets of patients with migraine [2,21,25] while platelet Cu/Zn-SOD activity has only been found decreased in migraine with aura [21,25]. Total SOD activity has been found normal [2] or decreased [5] in serum, and normal in platelets [22] and in neutrophils [22]. Glutathione-peroxidase (GPx) has been found increased in erythrocytes [2] and normal in neutrophils [22], and catalase normal in erythrocytes [2] and neutrophils [22].…”

“…Glutathione-peroxidase (GPx) has been found increased in erythrocytes [2] and normal in neutrophils [22], and catalase normal in erythrocytes [2] and neutrophils [22]. Nitric oxide (NO) has been found increased in 24-h urine of migraine patients during headache-free periods, both compared with normal controls or after the migraine-attack [24], decreased in serum [5], and increased in platelets during the migraineattack [26]. Finally, platelet peroxynitrite production has been found increased, and platelet membrane fluidity decreased in migraine patients during headache-free periods [23].…”

Antioxidant Enzyme Gene Polymorphisms in Japanese Migraine Patients with Medication Overuse Headache

“…Interestingly, nitric oxide (NO) metabolites and lipid peroxidation are increased during a migraine attack in platelets, in contrast to headache-free periods [5] . Moreover, in chronic migraine patients, NO serum levels and SOD activity are decreased and serum peroxide levels are increased, in contrast to healthy controls [6] . Thus, oxidative stress may be increased with increased frequency of headache in patients with migraine.…”

Migraine can be Managed with Virtual Scanning: Case Report

“…This involves the brain and is implicated in migraine conditions [8]. The feedback and feedforward responses to oxidative stress reactions, which are part of the development of pathological processes and systemic instability, involve antioxidants in a proteinsubstrate manner and ultra-weak light emission.…”

“…The processes of biofeedback are involuntary, subconscious and involve complex neurological changes including the scenario whereby cerebral blood flow enhances the release of ROS that react with nitric oxide, which otherwise maintains a dilated and/or relaxed blood vessel and pressure [8].…”