High-field MR Imaging in Migraine, Visual Snow and Epilepsy

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH · Aug 29, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating how the brain is affected in people with migraine, epilepsy, and visual snow syndrome. Researchers want to understand the changes in brain structure that might be linked to these conditions. They will use a special type of MRI machine called a 7T scanner to take detailed images of the brains of patients with these conditions as well as healthy individuals. This research is important because many people with epilepsy also experience migraines, and both conditions may share similar causes related to changes in brain networks.

To participate in this study, individuals must be between 6 and 74 years old and can include both patients and healthy volunteers. Patients must have a confirmed diagnosis of migraine, drug-resistant epilepsy, or visual snow syndrome. They should be stable on their medications for at least two months before the MRI and must be able to read and sign a consent form. Participants will undergo brain scans, complete questionnaires about their symptoms, and have clinical assessments. It’s important to note that certain conditions, like pregnancy or having certain medical devices, may prevent someone from participating. This study is not yet recruiting, but it aims to provide valuable insights into the relationship between these conditions and the brain.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Patients:
• • Patient must be able to read and sign the informed consent form
• • Stable prophylactic medication for 2 months prior to MRI
• * At leat one of the two criteria applies:
• • Patients diagnosed with migraine (with or without aura, episodic or chronic). Diagnosis is ensured by clinical interview (at least 8 weeks prior to MRI). Also, patients complete a migraine questionnaire (HARDSHIP) (at least 8 weeks before MRI). Migraine frequency ≥ 2 migraine attacks/month.
• • Patients with drug resistent epilepsy accroding to ILAE crtieria
• • Patients with diagnoses of Visual snow syndrome
• • Healthy participants;
• • No migraine (validated by questionnaire) or epilepsy
• • Participants must be able to read and sign the informed consent form
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Treatment of migraine disease with Botox within \< 4 months before baseline and during the study period
• • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• • Intention during the course of the trial to become pregnant
• • Women with bilateral ovariectomy, with or without hysterectomy, and postmenopausal women (\>2 years of age) are not considered childbearing.
• • Other clinically significant comorbidities (e.g., renal insufficiency, hepatic dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, etc.),
• • Known or suspected noncompliance with the protocol, drug or alcohol abuse,
• • Patient's inability to follow trial procedures, e.g., due to language problems, mental illness, dementia, etc.,
• • Prior participation in the clinical trial
• • Enrolment of the investigator, his/ her family members, employees and other dependent persons of the test personnel
• • Metallic objects in the body (e.g., splinters, MR incompatible implants).
• • Pacemaker
• • Claustrophobia
• • Obesity (body mass index \> 35 kg/m2)