Bi-sinusoidal light stimulation reveals an enhanced response power and reduced phase coherence at the visual cortex in migraine
Thomas C. van den Hoek (Leiden University Medical Center)
Matthijs Perenboom (Leiden University Medical Center)
Gisela M. Terwindt (Leiden University Medical Center)
Else A. Tolner (Leiden University Medical Center)
Mark van de Ruit (Leiden University Medical Center, TU Delft - Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control)
More Info
expand_more
Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.
Abstract
Introduction: Migraine is associated with enhanced visual sensitivity during and outside attacks. Processing of visual information is a highly non-linear process involving complex interactions across (sub)cortical networks. In this exploratory study, we combined electroencephalography with bi-sinusoidal light stimulation to assess non-linear features of visual processing in participants with migraine.
Methods: Twenty participants with migraine (10 with aura, 10 without aura) and ten non-headache controls were measured (outside attacks). Participants received bi-sinusoidal 13 + 23 Hz red light visual stimulation. Electroencephalography spectral power and multi-spectral phase coherence were compared between groups at the driving stimulation frequencies together with multiples and combinations of these frequencies (harmonic and intermodulation frequencies) caused by non-linearities.
Results: Only at the driving frequency of 13 Hz higher spectral power was found in migraine with aura participants compared with those with migraine without aura and controls. Differences in phase coherence were present for 2nd, 4th, and 5th-order non-linearities in those with migraine (migraine with and without aura) compared with controls. Bi-sinusoidal light stimulation revealed evident non-linearities in the brain’s electroencephalography response up to the 5th order with reduced phase coherence for higher order interactions in interictal participants with migraine.
Discussion: Insight into interictal non-linear visual processing may help understand brain dynamics underlying migraine attack susceptibility. Future research is needed to determine the clinical value of the results.
help_outline