Funct Neurol
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Nociceptive flexion reflexes, RIII reflex in particular, have been demonstrated to be a useful tool for pain research in humans, since the threshold of RIII reflex is that of pain. In this study a reduction of RIII reflex threshold, strictly related to the severity of the disease, is described in migraine with interval headache (MIH), that is considered a severe and evolutive form of common migraine (CM). ⋯ This fact supports the hypothesis that an impairment of serotoninergic antinociceptive system may exist in this type of headache. A significant correlation between percentage increase in RIII reflex threshold and reduction of PTI was also observed after amitriptyline treatment, indicating that pain reflex may be used for predicting treatment response in migraine.
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Intracarotid injection of 133-Xenon and recording of wash out of radioactivity by 254 external stationary detectors was used to measure rCBF. Initial slope values were calculated by a computer, translated into color code and displayed on a TV-screen. rCBF in patients with epilepsy has been the object of former studies. Those who had a cortical focus showed corresponding high blood flow values during attack and during EEG paroxysms without clinical attacks. ⋯ In common migraine rCBF remains normal throughout the attack. During classic migraine attacks rCBF is depressed whereas it is increased during epileptic attacks. Thus rCBF studies further strengthen the differences between epilepsy and migraine.