Structural and Molecular Neuroplasticity in Migraine

The main purpose of this study is to integrate novel MRI techniques with positron emission tomography(PET) for the study of structural and molecular neuroplasticity in the brain of migraineurs, and its clinical association with changes in pain perception and modulation (e.g. allodynia). We will attempt to acquire images of the brain that may, in the future, assist doctors in better understanding how pain is felt and regulated in migraine sufferers.

To investigate interictal opioid receptor (MOR) binding potential (BPND) changes in migraineurs as compared to age/gender-matched healthy controls. To demonstrate that frequency of the headache attacks and severity of cutaneous allodynia levels in migraineurs experienced over multiple attacks are correlated with levels of MOR BPND in specific brain regions. To investigate whether dysfunction of the pain regulatory endogenous opioid system of migraineurs is correlated with changes in the gray matter thickness in cortical areas associated with pain perception and modulation.

20 subjects experiencing 1-14 migraines per month will undergo the following: Blood and urine samples will be collected Complete a series of questionnaires; some of which will be completed daily Quantitative Sensory Test (QST)will be performed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) PET imaging (during and outside of a migraine attack)

20 healthy subjects will undergo the following: Blood and urine samples will be collected Complete a series of questionnaires; some of which will be completed daily Quantitative Sensory Test (QST)will be performed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) PET imaging

Level of mu-opioid receptor binding potential in the brain of episodic migraineurs during and outside the headache attack and compared to healthy controls.

Inclusion Criteria: Between 18-45 years of age Between 1-14 migraine attacks per month or healthy Exclusion Criteria: Cannot be taking daily migraine medication Healthy subjects cannot be taking hormonal birth control pills or other medication Cannot have chronic pain or a neurologic/psychiatric disorder such as: multiple sclerosis and bipolar disorder.

Jassar H, Nascimento TD, Kaciroti N, DosSantos MF, Danciu T, Koeppe RA, Smith YR, Bigal ME, Porreca F, Casey KL, Zubieta JK, DaSilva AF. Impact of chronic migraine attacks and their severity on the endogenous mu-opioid neurotransmission in the limbic system. Neuroimage Clin. 2019;23:101905. doi: 10.1016/j.nicl.2019.101905. Epub 2019 Jun 18.