Electroencephalographic (EEG) changes in migraine patients: a comparative analysis of aura and non-aura migraine with chronic tension-type and medication overuse headaches

Аннотация

This study explores electroencephalographic (EEG) changes in patients with different types of chronic COPYRIGHT headaches, including aura and non-aura migraine, © 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms chronic tension-type headaches, and medication of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License. overuse headaches. The research analyzes EEG parameters such as dominant alpha rhythm, slow-wave activity, focal theta and delta rhythms, and hemispheric asymmetry during and outside migraine attacks. The findings indicate significant neurophysiological differences among headache types, which could aid in refining diagnostic criteria and developing personalized treatment strategies. The study also highlights the relationship between cognitive dysfunction and EEG alterations in migraine patients. Keywords: Migraine, aura, EEG, chronic headaches, alpha rhythm, slow-wave activity, hemispheric asymmetry, cognitive dysfunction, neurophysiology, medication overuse headache. Introduction: Migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder characterized by recurrent headaches, often accompanied by sensory disturbances such as visual auras, nausea, and cognitive impairments. It affects millions of individuals worldwide, significantly reducing their quality of life and productivity. While the exact pathophysiology of migraines remains complex, electroencephalography (EEG) has emerged as a valuable tool in understanding the neurophysiological The American Journal of Medical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Research 76 https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajmspr The American Journal of Medical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Research mechanisms underlying different headache types. During headache attacks (ictal phase) EEG studies have demonstrated that migraine patients Outside headache episodes (interictal phase) exhibit distinctive alterations in brain electrical activity, Each recording lasted for 30 minutes, including resting including changes in dominant alpha rhythm, slow- state, hyperventilation, and photic stimulation at 27 Hz wave activity, and hemispheric asymmetry. These to assess visual reactivity. EEG parameters analyzed variations differ between migraine with aura, migraine included: without aura, chronic tension-type headaches (CTTH), Dominant alpha rhythm and medication overuse headaches (MOH). Understanding these differences is crucial for refining Slow-wave activity (theta and delta rhythms) diagnostic criteria and optimizing treatment Hemispheric asymmetry approaches. Additionally, research suggests a strong Amplitude changes in occipital, frontal, and temporal correlation between EEG changes and cognitive lobes dysfunction in migraine patients. Cognitive Artifact rejection was performed manually to exclude impairments, such as difficulties in attention, memory, muscle activity, blinking, and movement-related and executive function, have been linked to abnormal distortions. EEG patterns, particularly in the frontal and occipital regions. Evaluating these relationships may provide Cognitive Function Assessment further insights into the impact of migraine on brain To evaluate cognitive impairments, participants function and aid in the development of more targeted completed the Trail Making Test (TMT), assessing therapeutic interventions. This study aims to analyze attention, processing speed, and executive function. EEG changes in different types of chronic headaches, Correlations between EEG abnormalities and cognitive comparing aura and non-aura migraine with CTTH and performance were analyzed. MOH. By identifying key neurophysiological markers, Statistical Analysis we seek to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of migraine pathophysiology and Data were analyzed using SPSS (Version XX). facilitate the development of personalized treatment Chi-square tests (χ²) were applied to compare strategies. categorical variables between headache groups. METHODS ANOVA was used to assess differences in EEG This study was conducted as a comparative parameters. observational analysis of electroencephalographic Pearson correlation was performed to analyze (EEG) changes in patients with different types of relationships between EEG changes and cognitive chronic headaches. Participants were recruited from scores. neurology clinics and divided into four groups based on A significance level of p < 0.05 was considered clinical diagnosis: statistically significant. Group 1: Migraine with aura (MA)