Correlation between cutaneous allodynia and somatosensory cortex volume and thickness in patients with migraine

• Grant number: 18/21066-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2019
• End date: December 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Débora Bevilaqua Grossi
• Grantee: Eduardo Rocha Arruda
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/18031-5 - Association study of clinical, functional and neuroimaging in women with migraine, AP.TEM

Abstract

Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of brain alterations in patients with migraine. Functional and vascular changes are related to the presence and severity of cutaneous allodynia. However, the correlation between brain structural changes and cutaneous allodynia has not yet been investigated in patients with migraine. Thus, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation between the severity of cutaneous allodynia and the thickness and volume of the somatosensory cortex. Forty-five patients with migraine, diagnosed by specialist neurologists, will be divided into groups: chronic migraine, migraine with and without aura. Volunteers will fill the Allodynia Symptom Questionnaire (ASC-12/Brazil) and will be evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The images will be inspected by a blinded neuroradiologist and processed in the Freesurfer and 3D-slicer software. Linear regression models will be used to evaluate the relationship between cutaneous allodynia and MRI outcomes. The results of this study will provide a better understanding regarding migraine structural changes and cutaneous allodynia, advancing in the comprehension of mechanisms involved in the central sensitization and migraine chronification.