Hierarchical Alteration of Brain Structural and Functional Networks in Female Migraine Sufferers

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051250
• Publication Date: 2012-12-06T00:24:57Z
• Authors: Jixin Liu; Ling Zhao; Guoying Li; Shiwei Xiong; Jiaofen Nan; Jing Li; Kai Yuan; Karen M. von Deneen; Fanrong Liang; Wei Qin; Jie Tian
• Keywords: Parahippocampal gyrus; Precentral gyrus; Brain mapping; Superior frontal gyrus; Middle temporal gyrus

Background Little is known about the changes of brain structural and functional connectivity networks underlying pathophysiology in migraine. We aimed to investigate how cortical network reorganization altered by frequent overstimulation associated with Methodology/Principal Findings Gray matter volumes resting-state magnetic resonance imaging signal correlations were employed construct between regions 43 female patients migraine (PM) gender-matched healthy controls (HC) using graph theory-based approaches. Compared HC group, showed abnormal global topology both networks, characterized higher mean clustering coefficients without significant change shortest absolute path length, which indicated that PM lost optimal topological organization their networks. Brain hubs related pain-processing revealed nodal centrality including precentral gyrus, orbital part inferior frontal parahippocampal anterior cingulate thalamus, temporal pole middle gyrus parietal gyrus. Negative found duration centrality. Furthermore, dysfunctional connections patients' formed into a connected component three dysregulated modules identified involving pain-related information processing motion-processing visual Conclusions Our results may reflect alteration dynamics resulting from suggest long-term high-frequency headache attacks cause reorganization. The disrupted exchange areas be reshaped hierarchical modular structure progressively.