VISUALISATION OF CORTICAL SPREADING DEPRESSION IN MIGRAINE AURA. V01
Research type
Research Study
Full title
VISUALISATION OF CORTICAL SPREADING DEPRESSION DURING THE AURA PHASE OF MIGRAINE IN THE HUMAN BRAIN
IRAS ID
180804
Contact name
ASMA SHUMAILA KHAN
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Kings College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, days
Research summary
We aim to study the underlying activity in the human brain during the aura phase of the migraine headache. Aura refers to the short-lasting, reversible neurological symptoms, such as the visual disturbances that patients experience prior to the onset of the headache. We believe a phenomena known as cortical spreading depression (CSD) is responsible for this, which refers to a spreading wave of intense electrical activity of the nerve cells in the brain, followed by a marked depression of this activity.
Blood flow changes in the brain can be detected by the functional MRI techniques. Hence, this is the best existing method to indirectly detect CSD non-invasively, by visualising the pattern of blood flow during the aura in migraine patients. We expect to see an increased blood flow during the initial phase of intense activity, followed by decreased blood flow to reflect the depressed phase. We aim to develop a characteristic functional MRI signature for CSD detection.
We will recruit males and females over the age of 16 years who meet the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD), criteria 1.2 for Migraine with aura. The participants will be fully alert and cooperative, have no major co-morbidities and no contraindications to the MRI. We will only capture the spontaneous aura and it will not be induced.
The study will take place in the Clinical Research Facility (CRF) at the Kings College Hospital. A 3-Tesla scanner will be used. The subjects should live, work or study close to the building and be able to reach us as soon as their aura begins. Upon arrival, they will be positioned inside the scanner once they satisfy the MRI safety checklist and the pre-scanning health checks. The scan will last no longer than 40 minutes or until the end of their aura.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1897
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion