Visual motion processing in migraine: Enhanced motion after-effects are related to display contrast, visual symptoms, visual triggers and attack frequency. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shepherd, Alex J; Joly-Mascheroni, Ramiro M
• Is Part Of: Cephalalgia. Volume 37:Number 4(2017)
• Page Start: 315
• Page End: 326
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: Migraine -- adaptation -- motion perception -- motion after-effect -- contrast -- visual perception -- cortical processing -- visual triggers -- flicker -- stripes -- photophobia; Headache -- Periodicals; 616.8491
• DOI: 10.1177/0333102416640519
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0333-1024

Abstract

Background: Visual after-effects are illusions that occur after prolonged viewing of visual displays. The motion after-effect (MAE), for example, is an illusory impression of motion after viewing moving displays: subsequently, stationary displays appear to drift in the opposite direction. After-effects have been used extensively in basic vision research and in clinical settings, and are enhanced in migraine. Objective: The objective of this article is to assess associations between (1 ) MAE duration and visual symptoms experienced during/between migraine/headache attacks, and (2 ) visual stimuli reported as migraine/headache triggers. Methods: The MAE was elicited after viewing motion for 45 seconds. MAE duration was tested for three test contrast displays (high, medium, low). Participants also completed a headache questionnaire that included migraine/headache triggers. Results: For each test contrast, the MAE was prolonged in migraine. MAE duration was associated with photophobia; visual triggers (flicker, striped patterns); and migraine or headache frequency. Conclusions: Group differences on various visual tasks have been attributed to abnormal cortical processing in migraine, such as hyperexcitability, heightened responsiveness and/or a lack of intra-cortical inhibition. The results are not consistent with hyperexcitability simply from a general lack of inhibition. Alternative multi-stage models are discussed and suggestions for further research are recommended, including visual tests in clinical assessments/clinical trials.