Functional neuroimaging of primary headache disorders

Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2004 Mar;4(2):105-10. doi: 10.1007/s11910-004-0023-7.

Abstract

Until recently, primary headache disorders such as migraine and cluster headache were considered to be vascular in origin. However, advances in neuroimaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography, single photon emission computerized tomography, and functional magnetic resonance imaging, have augmented the growing clinical evidence that these headaches are primarily driven from the brain. This review covers functional imaging studies in migraine, cluster headache, rarer headache syndromes, and experimental head pain. Together with newer techniques, such as voxel-based morphometry and magnetic resonance spectrometry, functional imaging continues to play a role in elucidating and targeting the neural substrates in each of the primary headache syndromes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology
  • Cluster Headache / diagnostic imaging
  • Cluster Headache / pathology
  • Functional Laterality
  • Headache Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Headache Disorders / pathology*
  • Headache Disorders / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Migraine Disorders / pathology
  • Migraine without Aura / pathology
  • Ophthalmoplegia / pathology
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed