Cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential and ABR in vestibular migraine: Is there a correlation?

Abstract Background: Vestibular migraine (VM) is distinguished by the temporal overlap between migraine and vestibular symptoms. However, accurate diagnosis is crucial to determine an appropriate therapeutic strategy. Aims: Our primary aim was to investigate the characteristics of auditory brainstem response (ABR) and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) shown by VM and migraine patients compared to healthy controls and to determine the correlation between ABR and cVEMP. Settings and Design: This case–control study comprised 120 female and male participants aged 18–45 years from November 2022 to October 2023. Subjects and Methods: The participants were equally divided into Groups 1 (VM), 2 (migraine), and 3 (healthy controls). ABR and cVEMP were performed for all participants, besides computing the disparities between the right and left sides. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square, analysis of variance, Fisher’s exact, Kruskal–Wallis, and Spearman’s correlation were used, with P < 0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results: The cVEMP P13 and N23 latencies of migraine and VM patients were significantly longer than those of controls. The results revealed insignificant differences in P13-N23 amplitude as well as ABR waves and interpeak latencies across all groups. However, the interaural interpeak latencies significantly differed across the groups. The combined analysis of cVEMP and ABR demonstrated no significant correlation between c-VEMP and ABR results among the groups. Conclusions: Patients with migraine and VM showed audiovestibular abnormalities. Both VM and migraine patients, who experienced abnormally delayed P13 and N23 latency compared with healthy controls, are suggested to have subclinical vestibular dysfunction in the vestibulocollic pathway.