Trigeminal nerve microstructure is linked with neuroinflammation and brainstem activity in migraine - Summary - MDSpire
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Association of Trigeminal Nerve Microstructure with Neuroinflammation and Brainstem Function in Migraine

  • By

  • Sarasa Tohyama

  • Michael Datko

  • Ludovica Brusaferri

  • Lillian D Kinder

  • Jack H Schnieders

  • Mackenzie Hyman

  • Alison M Goldstein

  • Melaina D Gilbert

  • Hope Housman

  • Vi Le

  • Kassandra Round

  • Frances Marin

  • Megan R Heffernan

  • Ronald G Garcia

  • Randy L Gollub

  • Robert R Edwards

  • Bruce R Rosen

  • Nouchine Hadjikhani

  • Hsinlin T Cheng

  • Zev Schuman-Olivier

  • Marco L Loggia

  • Vitaly Napadow

  • January 28, 2025

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Objective:

To investigate the relationship between trigeminal nerve microstructure, neuroinflammation, and brainstem function in migraine patients using advanced neuroimaging techniques, including ultra-high field 7 T DTI, fMRI, and PET.

Key Findings:
  • Migraine patients (n=53) showed altered white matter microstructure at the trigeminal nerve root, including reduced fractional anisotropy compared to controls (n=18).
  • Lower fractional anisotropy in patients correlated with higher neuroinflammation indicated by elevated PET signals (n=36).
  • Reduced functional MRI activation was observed in the ipsilateral pontine cluster consistent with the spinal trigeminal nucleus (n=51).
Interpretation:

The findings suggest that trigeminal system remodeling is a significant aspect of migraine pathophysiology and may serve as a target for therapeutic interventions.

Limitations:
  • The study's sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings, particularly in diverse populations.
  • The cross-sectional design does not allow for causal inferences, which limits understanding of the temporal relationship between neuroinflammation and microstructural changes.
Conclusion:

This multimodal imaging study highlights the interplay between trigeminal nerve microstructure, neuroinflammation, and brainstem function in migraine, emphasizing the need for further research in this area.

Original Source(s)

Trigeminal nerve microstructure is linked with neuroinflammation and brainstem activity in migraine

  • by Sarasa Tohyama, Michael Datko, Ludovica Brusaferri, Lillian D Kinder, Jack H Schnieders, Mackenzie Hyman, Alison M Goldstein, Melaina D Gilbert, Hope Housman, Vi Le, Kassandra Round, Frances Marin, Megan R Heffernan, Ronald G Garcia, Randy L Gollub, Robert R Edwards, Bruce R Rosen, Nouchine Hadjikhani, Hsinlin T Cheng, Zev Schuman-Olivier, Marco L Loggia, Vitaly Napadow

  • January 28, 2025

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