Application of EEG in the Diagnosis and Classification of Migraine: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Migraine is a chronic debilitating disease affecting a significant number of people, more often women than men. The gold standard for diagnosis is the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3 (ICHD-3). Authors have identified multiple tight spots in the present method of diagnosis. An alternative method of diagnosis has always been coveted. Electroencephalogram (EEG) is one of the most researched of such alternatives. The visually evoked potential is the most studied; auditory evoked potentials and transcranial direct current stimulation are also being studied. Cortical hyperexcitability and habituation deficit to sensory stimuli are some of the consistent findings. Alpha oscillations are among the most frequently studied bands; spectral analysis of EEG waves has often shown more reliable and consistent results than features read off the EEG directly. EEG microstate is a novel and promising method showing characteristic identifiable features that may help diagnose Migraine patients. An alternative to the ICHD-3 criterion for diagnosing Migraines would be instrumental in promptly diagnosing the disease. EEG is one of the most explored alternatives within which enumerable features can be used to identify Migraines, of which the most promising are EEG microstates.

Keywords: alpha oscillations; diagnosis; e.e.g; microstates; migraine; spectral power analysis.

Figure 1. PRISMA flow diagram

PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. *Reporting the number of records identified from each database or register searched (rather than the total number across all databases/registers). PubMed was the only database searched, and 91 records were identified. **No automation tools were used; all records were examined and excluded by the author.

Figure 2. Pathophysiological basis of Migraine

Authors own creations. LGB: lateral geniculate body.