We tested the hypothesis that migraine and tension-type headache are separate disorders based on visual evoked potentials. We recruited 120 migraine without aura patients (MwoA), 64 tension-type headache patients (TTH), and 51 healthy controls. We performed discriminant analysis combined with a stepwise selection of predictors. Mean values of the F1 component were significantly increased over Fp1, C3, P4, O2 and O1 electrodes in MwoA and TTH patients compared with normal subjects. Only the control subjects were correctly distinguished. The increased brain response to visual stimulation detected in both MwoA and TTH may suggest a common neuronal dysfunction in the two headache subtypes.
GronsetGSGreenbergMKThe utility of the electroencephalogram in the evaluation of patients presenting with headache: a review of the literature.Neurology1995;
45:
1263–7
2.
GollaFLWinterALAnalysis of cerebral responses to flicker in patients complaining of episodic headache.Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol1959;
11:
539–49
3.
SmythVO. GWinterALThe EEG in migraine.Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol1964;
16:
194–202
4.
LehtonenJHyyppaMTKaiholaHLKangasniemiPLangAHVisual evoked potentials in migraine.Headache1979;
19:
63–70
5.
SimonRHZimmermanAWSandersonPTasmanAHaleMSSpectral analysis of photic stimulation in migraine.Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol1982;
53:
270–3
6.
NyrkeTKangasniemiPLangAHDifference of steady-state visual evoked potentials in classic and common migraine.Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol1989;
73:
285–94
7.
PucaFMde TommasoMSavareseMAGencoSPrudenzanoATopographic analysis of steady state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP) in the medium frequency range in migraine with and without aura.Cephalalgia1992;
12:
245–9
8.
PucaFMde TommasoMTotaPSciruicchioVPhotic driving in migraine: correlations with clinical features.Cephalalgia1996;
16:
246–50
9.
de TommasoMSciruicchioVBellottiRCastellanoMTotaPMegnaMDiscrimination between migraine patients and normal subjects based on steady state visual evoked potentials: discriminant analysis and artificial neural network classifiers.Funct Neurol1997;
12:
333–8
10.
Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society.Classification and diagnostic criteria for headache disorders, cranial neuralgia and facial pain.Cephalalgia1988;
8Suppl 7:
19–28
11.
TietjenGEThe primary headache disorders—apple sauce or fruit cocktail?Cephalalgia1996;
16:
223
12.
SchefféHSAS-STAT GUIDE: The analysis of variance.
New York: John Wiley,
1959
13.
GencoSde TommasoMPrudenzanoASavareseMAPucaFMEEG features in juvenile migraine: topographic analysis of spontaneous and visual evoked brain electrical activity: a comparison with adult migraine.Cephalalgia1994;
14:
42–6
14.
UlettGAEvansDO'LearyJLSurvey of 1,000 patients with chief complaint of headache.Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol1952;
4:
463–70
15.
MorrilBBlanchardEBBarronKDDentingerMPNeurological evaluation of chronic headache patients: Is laboratory testing always necessary?Biofeedback Self Regul1990;
15:
27–35
16.
SargentJDSolbachPMedical evaluation of migraineurs: review of the value of laboratory and radiologic tests.Headache1983;
23:
62–5
17.
ValdizanJRAndreuCAlmarceguiCOlivitoAQuantitative EEG in children with headache.Headache1994;
34:
53–5
18.
PothmanRTopographic EEG mapping in childhood headaches.Cephalalgia1993;
13:
57–8
19.
PearceJAre the International Headache Society criteria for headache useful?Cephalalgia1996;
16:
289–92
20.
MarcusDAMigraine and tension-type headaches: the questionable validity of the current classification system.Clin J Pain1992;
8:
28–36
21.
SpieringsEL. HMigraine. Questions and answers.Merit Publishing International1995:
54–5
ShoenenJWangWAlbertADelwaidePJPotentiation instead of habituation characterized visual evoked potentials in migraine patients between attacks.Eur J Neurol1995;
2:
115–22
24.
CantorFKIlbagFFacilitation of photic response by focal lesions.Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol1943;
34:
77–9
25.
OosterhuisHJ. G. HPonsenLJonkmanEJMagnusOThe average visual evoked response in patients with cerebrovascular disease.Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol1968;
27:
23–34
26.
WrightJJCraggsMDSergejewAAVisual evoked response in lateral hypothalamic neglect.Exp Neurol1979;
65:
178–85
27.
YinglingCDSkinnerJESelective regulation of thalamic sensory relay by nucleus reticulari thalami.Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol1976;
4:
476–82
28.
ZurakNRole of the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the pathogenesis of migraine attacks.Cephalalgia1997;
17:
723–8
29.
MoskowitzMAMacfarlaneRNeurovascular and molecular mechanisms in migraine headaches.Cerebrovascular Brain Metab Rev1993;
5:
159–77
30.
OlesenJClinical and pathophysiological observations in migraine and tension-type headache explained by integration of vascular, supraspinal and myofascial inputs.Pain1991;
16:
125–32
