TY - JOUR

T1 - Transcranial Doppler and cardiovascular responses during cardiovascular autonomic tests in migraineurs during and outside attacks

AU - Thomsen, L L

AU - Iversen, Helle Klingenberg

AU - Boesen, F

AU - Olesen, J

PY - 1995/10

Y1 - 1995/10

N2 - The transcranial Doppler (TCD) and cardiovascular responses to established tests of autonomic function were studied in 50 migraineurs (23 of whom experienced aura and 27 who did not) and 30 healthy control subjects. In addition to the measurements outside attacks, 10 migraineurs were also tested during unilateral attacks of migraine without aura. Transcranial Doppler examinations of middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood velocity showed no differences between migraineurs and healthy subjects and no difference between migraineurs experiencing an attack and outside an attack when examined in response to a head-up tilt test, a cold-pressor test and a Valsalva manoeuvre. The cardiovascular reflexes in response to the Valsalva manoeuvre suggested a mild parasympathetic hypofunction in migraineurs, both those with and those without aura. On the basis of the present results and previous findings by others, we conclude that mild parasympathetic hypofunctioning with preserved sympathetic functioning is an established finding in migraine both with and without aura.

AB - The transcranial Doppler (TCD) and cardiovascular responses to established tests of autonomic function were studied in 50 migraineurs (23 of whom experienced aura and 27 who did not) and 30 healthy control subjects. In addition to the measurements outside attacks, 10 migraineurs were also tested during unilateral attacks of migraine without aura. Transcranial Doppler examinations of middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood velocity showed no differences between migraineurs and healthy subjects and no difference between migraineurs experiencing an attack and outside an attack when examined in response to a head-up tilt test, a cold-pressor test and a Valsalva manoeuvre. The cardiovascular reflexes in response to the Valsalva manoeuvre suggested a mild parasympathetic hypofunction in migraineurs, both those with and those without aura. On the basis of the present results and previous findings by others, we conclude that mild parasympathetic hypofunctioning with preserved sympathetic functioning is an established finding in migraine both with and without aura.

KW - Adult

KW - Aged

KW - Autonomic Nervous System

KW - Blood Pressure

KW - Carbon Dioxide

KW - Cardiovascular System

KW - Cold Temperature

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Migraine Disorders

KW - Posture

KW - Respiration

KW - Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial

KW - Valsalva Maneuver

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 7496789

VL - 118 ( Pt 5)

SP - 1319

EP - 1327

JO - Brain

JF - Brain

SN - 0006-8950

ER -