Autonomic Dysfunction in Migraine: A Survey of 188 Patients

Abstract

SYNOPSIS Autonomic nervous system functions were studied in 188 patients with migraine during headache free intervals by measuring cardiovascular reflex responses. Eighty‐five healthy subjects served as a control group. Pulse rate (R‐R‐ interval) variation in normal and deep breathing, during Valsalva manoeuvre and orthostatic test was diminished in migraine patients. Diastolic blood pressure rises in orthostatic test and isometric work test were lower than in the controls. The results of patients with classic and common migraine did not deviate from each other. The same was true for the results of the female and male patients. The results of the patients with frequent migraine attacks (>4/month) showed more severe disturbance than those with infrequent attacks. Disturbances gradually developed with age, being minimal or totally lacking in young migraine patients. The results confirm the development of sympathetic and parasympathetic hypofunction in migraine patients during the course of the disorder.