Subclinical cerebellar dysfunction in patients with migraine: Evidence from eyeblink conditioning. (October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gerwig, Marcus; Rauschen, Lisa; Gaul, Charly; Katsarava, Zaza; Timmann, Dagmar
• Is Part Of: Cephalalgia. Volume 34:Number 11(2014)
• Page Start: 904
• Page End: 913
• Publication Date: 2014-10
• Subjects: Migraine -- cerebellum -- eyeblink conditioning -- associative learning; Headache -- Periodicals; 616.8491
• DOI: 10.1177/0333102414523844
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0333-1024

Abstract

Background: Clinical findings suggest cerebellar dysfunction in patients with migraine. Eyeblink classical conditioning (EBCC) is a simple form of associative learning which depends on the integrity of the cerebellum. The aim of this study was to assess whether EBCC is disturbed in patients with migraine. Methods: A delay conditioning paradigm was used in the headache-free interval in 32 female patients with migraine, in 24 of them without (MwoA) and eight with aura (MwA), and in 32 age-matched female controls. As primary outcome measure acquisition and as secondary outcome measures timing and extinction of conditioned eyeblink responses (CR) were assessed. Results: CR acquisition was significantly reduced in all migraine patients (mean total CR incidence 35.2 ± 22.1%) compared to controls (54.7 ± 21.3%; p < 0.001; Bonferroni-corrected p level < 0.025) and in MwA patients (19.9 ± 20.2%) compared to matched controls (58.2 ± 27.0%; p = 0.006) but not in MwoA patients (40.3 ± 20.6%) compared to matched controls (53.6 ± 19.7%; p = 0.028; Bonferroni-corrected p level < 0.0166). Decrease of CR incidences in MwA patients was not significantly different compared to MwoA patients ( p = 0.021; Bonferroni-corrected p level < 0.0166). CR timing and extinction was not affected in migraine patients. Conclusions: Reduced acquisition of CRs in the cohort of female patients studied here supports findings of a cerebellar dysfunction in migraine.