Exploring the Utility of Quantitative MGRE in Distinguishing Migraine and Tension-Type Headache: A Pilot Study

Motivation: Specific biomarkers were urgently needed to distinguish Migraine from Tension-Type Headache. Goal(s): MGRE biomarkers relating to brain structure, oxygen metabolism, and iron deposition in different brain regions could be discovered for distinguishing Migraine and TTH. Approach: We performed 3DT1, quantitative MGRE, and 3D-pcASL scans in 38 Migraine, 36 TTH, and 38 healthy controls. Results: Increased R2t*, QSM and decreased GMV within the pain-related pathways were observed in migraine and TTH. The relationship between depression symptoms and pain severity were significantly mediated by R2t* of right caudate. Impact: Our findings not only may serve as neuroimaging biomarkers to diagnose and predict in the two disorders, but also may ultimately be used in clinical performance by improving pain severity through depression regulation.