Structural Changes in the Cerebrum, Cerebellum and Corpus Callosum in Migraine Patients

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the relationship among the cerebrum, cerebellum and corpus callosum in migraine patients. METHODS: This work was conducted with cooperation of the Turgut Özal Medical Faculty, Department of Anatomy and Neurology. Migraine patients were divided into four groups: new patients; 1-5 years; 5-10 years; and, more than 10 years. All patients (n=75) and control subjects (n=20) underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and brain images were processed by ONIS and Image J. Data were analyzed using the planimetric method. RESULTS: Cerebrum, cerebellum and corpus callosum volume were calculated for all subjects. The footprints of the callosum were as follows: healthy control subjects, new patients and 1-year patients: 12.8%, 5 years: 11.7% and more than 10 years: 10.7%. The cerebrum volume was as follows: healthy control subjects: 1152 cm3, 5-10 years: 1102 cm3 and more than 10 years: 1002 cm3. DISCUSSION: The results of our study showed atrophy in the cerebrum, cerebellum and corpus callosum of chronic migraine patients. This atrophy was greater in the patients with aura migraines. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed that a migraine is an episodic disease that seriously affects the CNS.