The altered right frontoparietal network functional connectivity in migraine and the modulation effect of treatment. (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Zhengjie; Lan, Lei; Zeng, Fang; Makris, Nikos; Hwang, Jiwon; Guo, Taipin; Wu, Feng; Gao, Yujie; Dong, Mingkai; Liu, Mailan; Yang, Jie; Li, Ying; Gong, Qiyong; Sun, Sharon; Liang, Fanrong; Kong, Jian
• Is Part Of: Cephalalgia. Volume 37:Number 2(2017)
• Page Start: 161
• Page End: 176
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: Acupuncture -- migraine without aura -- fMRI -- independent component analysis -- frontoparietal network -- resting-state functional connectivity; Headache -- Periodicals; 616.8491
• DOI: 10.1177/0333102416641665
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0333-1024

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to investigate the resting-state functional connectivity (rs-fc) of the right frontoparietal network (rFPN) between migraineurs and healthy controls (HCs) in order to determine how the rFPN rs-fc can be modulated by effective treatment. Methods: One hundred patients and 46 matched HCs were recruited. Migraineurs were randomized to verum acupuncture, sham acupuncture, and waiting list groups. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected before and after longitudinal treatments. Independent component analysis was applied in the data analysis. Results: We found that migraineurs showed decreased rs-fc between the rFPN and bilateral precuneus compared with HCs. After treatments (real and sham), rFPN rs-fc with the precuneus was significantly reduced. This reduction was associated with headache intensity relief. In order to explore the role of the precuneus in acupuncture modulation, we performed a seed-based rs-fc analysis using the precuneus as a seed and found that the precuneus rs-fc with the bilateral rostral anterior cingulate cortex/medial prefrontal cortex, ventral striatum, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was significantly enhanced after treatment. Conclusion: Our results suggest that migraineurs are associated with abnormal rFPN rs-fc. An effective treatment, such as acupuncture, may relieve symptoms by strengthening the cognitive adaptation/coping process. Elucidation of the adaptation/coping mechanisms may open up a new window for migraine management.