Auditory Brainstem Evoked Responses In Migraine Patients

INTRODUCTION:Migraine is a painful neurological condition and the pathogenesis of migraine is not completely understood. Some researchers are of opinion that cortex may be involved whereas others hold the brainstem responsible.AIM:The aim of the present study was to evaluate the brainstem auditory evoked potentials in patients with migraine.METHODOLOGY:25 patients in the age range of 10-45 years, diagnosed as having migraine (with or without aura) were taken as the study group. Out of these 25 subjects, 6 (4 males, 2 females) subjects reported headache during the testing period. Control group consisted of 25 healthy subjects in the age range of 10 to 45 years with no complaint of migraine. Brainstem auditory evoked potentials were recorded using insert ear phones.RESULTS:There was a significant difference between absolute latencies of study group and control group. Similarly, significant results were obtained for interpeak latencies between control and study group. It was observed that prolongation in interpeak latency was reported in those subjects who had an acute attack of migraine during ABR testing.CONCLUSION :It is concluded that there is an involvement of brainstem structures during migraine attack and this is supported by the prolongation of interpeak latencies of waves in ABER. Therefore, Auditory brainstem evoked responses can be used as an effective tool in making the neurophysiological evaluation of the auditory pathway which further plays an important role in the explanation of pathophysiology of migraine.