Preliminary study on the cerebral blood flow regulation function in migraine patients using transcranial Doppler ultrasound

Objective To assess the cerebral blood flow regulation function in migraine patients using transcranial Doppler (TCD), and to explore the potential mechanism behind the increased risk of cerebral infarction in migraine patients. Methods Compare cerebral blood flow regulation function between migraine patients and healthy volunteers. Compare cerebral blood flow regulation function among migraine patient groups with different grades of right–left shunt (RLS). Screen the influencing factors of cerebral blood flow regulation function in migraine patients. Results Migraine patients exhibited decreased phase difference and breath-holding index (BHI), and increased gain (all p < 0.05). Migraine patients with large amount of RLS showed decreased phase difference (right side) and BHI compared to those without RLS (all p < 0.05). Age was negatively correlated with gain and positively correlated with phase difference (left side) in migraine patients; RLS grade was negatively correlated with phase difference (right side) and BHI; onset age was negatively correlated with gain and positively correlated with phase difference (all p < 0.05). Onset age was a positive moderator of phase difference (right) and a negative moderator of gain (left); RLS grade was a negative moderator of BHI (all p < 0.05). Conclusion The cerebral blood flow regulation function is impaired in migraine patients. Migraine patients with large amount of RLS exhibit more severe impairment of cerebral blood flow regulation compared to those without RLS. Younger age at onset and a higher RLS flow rate may be risk factors for impaired cerebral blood flow regulation in migraine patients. Impaired cerebral blood flow regulation function may be a potential mechanism underlying the increased risk of cerebral infarction in migraine patients.