J Korean Soc Clin Neurophysiol.  2012 Jun;14(1):20-24.

Change of Cerebrovascular Reactivity by Prandial State in Women with Migraine without Aura: Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography (TCD) with Breath-Holding Method

• Park JH
• Park SA
• Lee TK
• Sung KB

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Migraine patients can be sensitive to external or internal stimuli, such as light, noise, or hormonal changes. Using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) with breath-holding method, we evaluated the changes of cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) to hypercapnia in women with migraine without aura between fasting and postprandial period.
METHODS
Twelve women with migraine without aura and the same number of age and sex-matched healthy controls with no significant history of headache participated in this study. Using TCD examinations, we studied mean flow velocity in middle cerebral artery with better temporal window. Each subject was examined consecutively before and after a standard meal, together with serum glucose level and blood pressure. CVR was evaluated with breath-holding index (BHI).
RESULTS
Postprandial-BHI (mean+SD) was significantly higher than fasting-BHI (mean+SD) in patients group but not in controls (in patient group; postprandial-BHI=1.38, fasting-BHI=1.08, in control group; postprandial-BHI=1.25, fasting-BHI=1.18, P=0.021 and 0.239, respectively). After meal, serum glucose level was significantly enhanced but blood pressure was not in both groups. Serum glucose level of patients showed a tendency of mild positive correlation with BHIs (gamma=0.448, P=0.032).
CONCLUSIONS
Although exact mechanisms are unclear, cerebrovascular reactivity of some women with migraine without aura may be influenced by prandial state.

Keyword

Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography; Migraine; Postprandial period; Cerebrovascular reactivity; Hypercapnia

MeSH Terms

Blood Pressure
Fasting
Female
Glucose
Headache
Humans
Hypercapnia
Light
Meals
Middle Cerebral Artery
Migraine Disorders
Migraine without Aura
Noise
Postprandial Period
Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
Glucose