Visual and cognitive dysfunctions in migraine with aura: ERSP naming task study

Abstract

Objective: Accurately diagnosing migraine and identifying specific biomarkers that can reliably indicate the disorder, regardless of the ongoing phase, remains a persistent challenge. As a distinctive symptom characterizing migraine with aura (MwA), various impairments within the visual system have been identified, including difficulties in object recognition and naming. Methods: In our study, we utilized an overt naming task involving both easy and challenging visual stimuli to explore how processing differs between individuals with MwA during their interictal phase and healthy controls (HC). A total of 30 participants took part in this study, including 15 MwA patients and 15 HC. We employed event-related spectral perturbations (ERSP) analysis to examine specific regions of interest and uncover the complexities of dynamics across various frequency ranges. Results: Compared to the HC group, individuals with MwA exhibited diminished ERSP values in theta/alpha band oscillations (4-12Hz) within occipital regions, along with reduced alpha-band activation (8-12Hz) in the left temporal cortex within the initial 100 milliseconds. A weaker mid-beta-band (15-20Hz) desynchronization was observed after 200 milliseconds in the left parietal lobe, persisting until the response phase. These findings were consistent across both stimulus conditions (easy and difficult-to-name). Conclusion:Our study aligns with prior research that indicates alpha and beta activity disruptions in migraines, even within the interictal phase. Furthermore, it provides additional insights into the somatosensory cortex's activity during object identification and naming processes.