Page 22 - Migraine, the heart and the brain

Chapter 1
In Chapter VII cerebellar function is evaluated with ve separate validated tests and outcomes are correlated with MRI imaging of the cerebellum.
Aims of this thesis
Aim of this thesis was to investigate the progression of ischemic brain lesions in the CAMERA cohort over a time-period of 9 years follow up and to relate this to migraine characteristics. The main question was if in migraine patients more progression of these lesions occurred, and secondly if repeated migraine attacks were associated with more progression? (Part I, chapter II)
The second aim was to study the association of right-to-left shunts with migraine. (Part II, chapter III and IV). Chapter III describes the prevalence of RLS among migraineurs and controls, and whether the presence of these shunts is associated with ischemic brain lesions in migraineurs. Chapter IV gives an overview of different embolic materials passing a RLS which has been associated with migraine attacks. In Chapter V the presence of migraine in Marfan patients is investigated and speci c the contribution from aortic root abnormalities.
The third aim was to assess a broad range of brain functions in migraineurs and controls and evaluate whether there is an association with the demonstrated structural brain changes.(Part I Chapter II and Part III, Chapter VII ). In this part also the effect on cognitive functions investigated shortly after a migraine attack (Chapter VIII).
In Chapter IX the results of all the studies are summarized and future perspectives are discussed.
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