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16 pages, 1893 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pattern-Induced Visual Discomfort and Anxiety in Migraineurs: Their Relationship and the Effect of Colour

by Trevor J. Hine and Yolande B. Z. White

Vision 2022, 6(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/vision6010001 - 24 Dec 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3353

Abstract

In migraineurs, coloured lenses were found to reduce the visual stress caused by an aversive pattern known to trigger migraines by 70%, but do such patterns also produce a low-level anxiety/fear response? Is this response lessened by colour? We sought to investigate this [...] Read more.

In migraineurs, coloured lenses were found to reduce the visual stress caused by an aversive pattern known to trigger migraines by 70%, but do such patterns also produce a low-level anxiety/fear response? Is this response lessened by colour? We sought to investigate this in a study comprising a broad screening component followed by a dot-probe experiment to elicit attentional biases (AB) to aversive patterns. Undergraduate psychology students completed headache and visual discomfort (VD) questionnaires (N = 358), thereby forming a subject pool from which 13 migraineurs with high visual discomfort and 13 no-headache controls with low visual discomfort, matched on age and sex, completed a dot-probe experiment. Paired stimuli were presented for 500 ms: aversive achromatic 3 cpd square wave gratings vs control, scrambled patterns. These conditions were repeated using the colour that was most comfortable for each participant. VD was greater in the more severe headache groups. On all measures, the migraineurs were more anxious than the controls, and a positive relationship was found between VD and trait anxiety. The 3 cpd gratings elicited an aversive AB in the migraine group which was somewhat reduced by the use of colour, and this was not seen in the controls. The results suggest a new role for colour in reducing visual stress via anxiety/fear reduction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Visual Aura in Migraine)

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18 pages, 2320 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Functional Network of the Visual Cortex Is Altered in Migraine

by Jie Huang and Arnold Wilkins

Vision 2021, 5(4), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/vision5040057 - 18 Nov 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2729

Abstract

Migraine is a common neurological disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of headache, frequently accompanied by various reversible neurological disturbances. Some migraine patients experience visually triggered migraine headache, and most attacks of migraine with aura are associated with the disturbance of vision and photophobia, [...] Read more.

Migraine is a common neurological disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of headache, frequently accompanied by various reversible neurological disturbances. Some migraine patients experience visually triggered migraine headache, and most attacks of migraine with aura are associated with the disturbance of vision and photophobia, suggesting an abnormal neural activity in the visual cortex. Numerous studies have shown a large cortical hemodynamic response to visual stimulation and an altered intrinsic visual functional connectivity network in patients with migraine. In this interictal study, we applied a novel data-driven method with fMRI to identify the functional network in the visual cortex evoked by visual stimulation and investigated the effect of migraine on this network. We found that the distribution of the functional network along both the ventral and dorsal visual pathways differed between migraine patients and non-headache healthy control participants, providing evidence that the functional network was altered in migraine between headaches. The functional network was bilateral in the control participants but substantially lateralized in the migraine patients. The results also indicated different effects of colored lenses on the functional network for both participant groups. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Visual Aura in Migraine)

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22 pages, 2602 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Aura Mapping: Where Vision and Somatosensation Meet

by Frances Wilkinson

Vision 2021, 5(4), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/vision5040052 - 30 Oct 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3421

Abstract

While migraine auras are most frequently visual, somatosensory auras are also relatively common. Both are characterized by the spread of activation across a cortical region containing a spatial mapping of the sensory (retinal or skin) surface. When both aura types occur within a [...] Read more.

While migraine auras are most frequently visual, somatosensory auras are also relatively common. Both are characterized by the spread of activation across a cortical region containing a spatial mapping of the sensory (retinal or skin) surface. When both aura types occur within a single migraine episode, they may offer an insight into the neural mechanism which underlies them. Could they both be initiated by a single neural event, or do the timing and laterality relationships between them demand multiple triggers? The observations reported here were carried out 25 years ago by a group of six individuals with migraine with aura. They timed, described and mapped their visual and somatosensory auras as they were in progress. Twenty-nine episode reports are summarized here. The temporal relationship between the onset of the two auras was quite variable within and across participants. Various forms of the cortical spreading depression hypothesis of migraine aura are evaluated in terms of whether they can account for the timing, pattern of symptom spread and laterality of the recorded auras. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Visual Aura in Migraine)

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14 pages, 2732 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chromatic Induction in Migraine

by Xim Cerda-Company, Olivier Penacchio and Xavier Otazu

Vision 2021, 5(3), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/vision5030037 - 6 Aug 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2918

Abstract

The human visual system is not a colorimeter. The perceived colour of a region does not only depend on its colour spectrum, but also on the colour spectra and geometric arrangement of neighbouring regions, a phenomenon called chromatic induction. Chromatic induction is thought [...] Read more.

The human visual system is not a colorimeter. The perceived colour of a region does not only depend on its colour spectrum, but also on the colour spectra and geometric arrangement of neighbouring regions, a phenomenon called chromatic induction. Chromatic induction is thought to be driven by lateral interactions: the activity of a central neuron is modified by stimuli outside its classical receptive field through excitatory–inhibitory mechanisms. As there is growing evidence of an excitation/inhibition imbalance in migraine, we compared chromatic induction in migraine and control groups. As hypothesised, we found a difference in the strength of induction between the two groups, with stronger induction effects in migraine. On the other hand, given the increased prevalence of visual phenomena in migraine with aura, we also hypothesised that the difference between migraine and control would be more important in migraine with aura than in migraine without aura. Our experiments did not support this hypothesis. Taken together, our results suggest a link between excitation/inhibition imbalance and increased induction effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Visual Aura in Migraine)

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14 pages, 747 KiB

Open AccessArticle

No Evidence of Reduced Contrast Sensitivity in Migraine-with-Aura for Large, Narrowband, Centrally Presented Noise-Masked Stimuli

by Jordi M. Asher, Louise O’Hare and Paul B. Hibbard

Vision 2021, 5(2), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/vision5020032 - 21 Jun 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2850

Abstract

Individuals with migraine aura show differences in visual perception compared to control groups. Measures of contrast sensitivity have suggested that people with migraine aura are less able to exclude external visual noise, and that this relates to higher variability in neural processing. The [...] Read more.

Individuals with migraine aura show differences in visual perception compared to control groups. Measures of contrast sensitivity have suggested that people with migraine aura are less able to exclude external visual noise, and that this relates to higher variability in neural processing. The current study compared contrast sensitivity in migraine with aura and control groups for narrow-band grating stimuli at 2 and 8 cycles/degree, masked by Gaussian white noise. We predicted that contrast sensitivity would be lower in the migraine with aura group at high noise levels. Contrast sensitivity was higher for the low spatial frequency stimuli, and decreased with the strength of the masking noise. We did not, however, find any evidence of reduced contrast sensitivity associated with migraine with aura. We propose alternative methods as a more targeted assessment of the role of neural noise and excitability as contributing factors to migraine aura. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Visual Aura in Migraine)

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35 pages, 1287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Migraine Visual Aura and Cortical Spreading Depression—Linking Mathematical Models to Empirical Evidence

by Louise O’Hare, Jordi M. Asher and Paul B. Hibbard

Vision 2021, 5(2), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/vision5020030 - 10 Jun 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 8853

Abstract

This review describes the subjective experience of visual aura in migraine, outlines theoretical models of this phenomenon, and explores how these may be linked to neurochemical, electrophysiological, and psychophysical differences in sensory processing that have been reported in migraine with aura. Reaction–diffusion models [...] Read more.

This review describes the subjective experience of visual aura in migraine, outlines theoretical models of this phenomenon, and explores how these may be linked to neurochemical, electrophysiological, and psychophysical differences in sensory processing that have been reported in migraine with aura. Reaction–diffusion models have been used to model the hallucinations thought to arise from cortical spreading depolarisation and depression in migraine aura. One aim of this review is to make the underlying principles of these models accessible to a general readership. Cortical spreading depolarisation and depression in these models depends on the balance of the diffusion rate between excitation and inhibition and the occurrence of a large spike in activity to initiate spontaneous pattern formation. We review experimental evidence, including recordings of brain activity made during the aura and attack phase, self-reported triggers of migraine, and psychophysical studies of visual processing in migraine with aura, and how these might relate to mechanisms of excitability that make some people susceptible to aura. Increased cortical excitability, increased neural noise, and fluctuations in oscillatory activity across the migraine cycle are all factors that are likely to contribute to the occurrence of migraine aura. There remain many outstanding questions relating to the current limitations of both models and experimental evidence. Nevertheless, reaction–diffusion models, by providing an integrative theoretical framework, support the generation of testable experimental hypotheses to guide future research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Visual Aura in Migraine)

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Review

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9 pages, 9267 KiB

Open AccessReview

From “Transient Hemiopsia” to Migraine Aura

by Mark William Weatherall

Vision 2021, 5(4), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/vision5040054 - 5 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 7335

Abstract

This paper outlines the historical development of the concept of the visual aura of migraine, from the first comprehensive published description by the physician Hubert Airy, in 1870. Airy’s description of the phenomenon he called “transient hemiopsia” became widely copied and highly influential [...] Read more.

This paper outlines the historical development of the concept of the visual aura of migraine, from the first comprehensive published description by the physician Hubert Airy, in 1870. Airy’s description of the phenomenon he called “transient hemiopsia” became widely copied and highly influential as a consequence of the language and images that he used in his presentation. This paper outlines the subsequent development of theories of aura from the time of Airy’s publication to the first demonstration of spreading oligaemia by Lautitzen and Olesen in the 1980s. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Visual Aura in Migraine)

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7 pages, 205 KiB

Open AccessReview

Current Perspective on Retinal Migraine

by Yu Jeat Chong, Susan P. Mollan, Abison Logeswaran, Alexandra B. Sinclair and Benjamin R. Wakerley

Vision 2021, 5(3), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/vision5030038 - 23 Aug 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 8011

Abstract

Retinal migraine was first formally described in 1882. Various terms such as “ocular migraine” and “ophthalmic migraine” have since been used interchangeably in the literature. The lack of a consistent consensus-based definition has led to controversy and potential confusion for clinicians and patients. [...] Read more.

Retinal migraine was first formally described in 1882. Various terms such as “ocular migraine” and “ophthalmic migraine” have since been used interchangeably in the literature. The lack of a consistent consensus-based definition has led to controversy and potential confusion for clinicians and patients. Retinal migraine as defined by the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) has been found to be rare. The latest ICHD defined retinal migraine as ‘repeated attacks of monocular visual disturbance, including scintillation, scotoma or blindness, associated with migraine headache’, which are fully reversible. Retinal migraine should be considered a diagnosis of exclusion, which requires other causes of transient monocular visual loss to be excluded. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the literature on retinal migraine, including: epidemiology and risk factors; proposed aetiology; clinical presentation; and management strategies. It is potentially a misnomer as its proposed aetiology is different from our current understanding of the mechanism of migraine Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Visual Aura in Migraine)

15 pages, 319 KiB

Open AccessReview

Visual Perception in Migraine: A Narrative Review

by Nouchine Hadjikhani and Maurice Vincent

Vision 2021, 5(2), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/vision5020020 - 28 Apr 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4798

Abstract

Migraine, the most frequent neurological ailment, affects visual processing during and between attacks. Most visual disturbances associated with migraine can be explained by increased neural hyperexcitability, as suggested by clinical, physiological and neuroimaging evidence. Here, we review how simple (e.g., patterns, color) visual [...] Read more.

Migraine, the most frequent neurological ailment, affects visual processing during and between attacks. Most visual disturbances associated with migraine can be explained by increased neural hyperexcitability, as suggested by clinical, physiological and neuroimaging evidence. Here, we review how simple (e.g., patterns, color) visual functions can be affected in patients with migraine, describe the different complex manifestations of the so-called Alice in Wonderland Syndrome, and discuss how visual stimuli can trigger migraine attacks. We also reinforce the importance of a thorough, proactive examination of visual function in people with migraine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Visual Aura in Migraine)

Other

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8 pages, 2304 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Maculopathy Masquerading as Migraine

by Laura C. E. Drayer Turner, Jan A. Coebergh and Philip J. Banerjee

Vision 2021, 5(3), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/vision5030040 - 27 Aug 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2991

Abstract

We describe a case of a 23-year-old Caucasian woman with a background history of migraines who presented with bilateral paracentral scotomata. The ophthalmoscopy and MRI head were originally thought to be normal, and the scotomata were attributed to be of migrainous origin: a [...] Read more.

We describe a case of a 23-year-old Caucasian woman with a background history of migraines who presented with bilateral paracentral scotomata. The ophthalmoscopy and MRI head were originally thought to be normal, and the scotomata were attributed to be of migrainous origin: a persistent negative aura. However, persistence of her symptoms prompted further specialist review 10 months later, at which time subtle bilateral perifoveal changes were noted, which had been apparent but overlooked at the initial assessment. Near-infrared reflectance imaging enabled better visualization of the lesions, which were apparent prior to any abnormalities on clinical examination. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography revealed the early findings of hyperreflectivity in the outer nuclear and outer plexiform layers characteristic of acute macular neuroretinopathy. Our case aims to emphasize the importance of scrutinising ancillary tests of the macula in patients presenting with scotomata or atypical migraine symptoms, and to caution clinicians against diagnosing migraine with persistent negative aura without these investigations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Visual Aura in Migraine)

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