Novel and reappraised wide-band EEG findings in migraineurs: Its correlation with several clinical variables

Objective

Cortical spreading depolarization is one possible pathogenesis of migraine, of which slow neurophysiological change is barely recorded in conventional EEG settings. Using wide-band EEG conditions, we reappraised the features of EEG in migraineurs, including subdelta-band EEG changes.

Methods

This retrospective study included 144 patients with migraine. We delineated EEG of focal delta slow (FDS) (1–4 Hz) by time constant (TC) 0.3 s and focal subdelta slow (FSDS) (< 1 Hz) by TC 2 s. Relationships between clinical variables and EEG findings were evaluated.

Results

Of 144 patients, 39 had aura and 105 did not. FSDS and FDS were observed in 38 and 58 patients, respectively. No EEG was recorded during the aura. In multivariate analysis with the phase of migraine, family history, age, and percentage of sleep during EEG recording, the phase of migraine was related to the occurrence of FSDS (postdrome vs interictal, prodrome, and headache respectively (OR = 49.00 [95% CI = 3.89–616.66], 46.28 [2.99–715.78], 32.79 [2.23–481.96], p = 0.0026, 0.0061, 0.011). FDS was clinically unremarkable for differential evaluation.

Conclusions

Wide-band EEG abnormality in migraineurs, i.e., FSDS, can be affected by migraine phase.

Significance

Wide-band EEG finding could be a biomarker related to clinical variables in migraines.