The altered right frontoparietal network functional connectivity in migraine and the modulation effect of treatment

• Published in: Cephalalgia Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 161 - 176
• Main 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
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.02.2017
• Subjects: Acupuncture Therapy - methods; Adolescent; Adult; Female; Frontal Lobe - diagnostic imaging; Frontal Lobe - physiopathology; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Male; Middle Aged; Migraine Disorders - diagnostic imaging; Migraine Disorders - physiopathology; Migraine Disorders - therapy; Nerve Net - diagnostic imaging; Nerve Net - physiopathology; Parietal Lobe - diagnostic imaging; Parietal Lobe - physiopathology; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult; resting-state functional connectivity; fMRI; independent component analysis; Acupuncture; migraine without aura; frontoparietal network
• ISSN: 0333-1024; 1468-2982
• DOI: 10.1177/0333102416641665

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.