Neuroimaging Studies of Chronic Primary Headaches Using Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Neuroimaging Studies of Chronic Primary Headaches Using Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Investigators hypothesize that chronic primary headaches are accompanied by a discrete pattern of brain metabolism and activity involving brain structures related to the development of acute exacerbations as well as pain modulation. Such structures include the brainstem, hypothalamus, and orbitofrontal cortex and can be defined using functional brain imaging.

Specific aims of the study include:

1. To determine the pattern of brain metabolism using positron emission tomography (PET) found in chronic migraine, episodic migraine and control patients.
2. To determine changes of resting state brain networks using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between patients with chronic or episodic headache and healthy volunteers.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients aged 18-65

  • No medical contraindication.

Chronic headache group:

• Patients with chronic primary headaches who are experiencing phases with background pain as well as habitual pain exacerbations.
• Able to provide informed consent.
• Not pregnant or planning to become so, with a pregnancy test prior to scanning.

Control group and Episodic migraine group:

• Patients with episodic migraine
• Able to provide informed consent.
• Not pregnant or planning to become so, with a pregnancy test prior to scanning.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Taking a migraine preventive currently or in the last fifteen days.
• Known claustrophobia
• Patient is pregnant, planning to be pregnant, or becomes pregnant.
• Patients with metal implants.
• Patients who have had a study involving radiation within the one year prior to enrolling in this study