Cortical microstructure in persistent post-traumatic headache, migraine and healthy controls: A quantitative magnetic resonance imaging study

AimTo compare cortical microstructural features in people with persistent post-traumatic headache (PPTH), migraine and healthy controls (HCs) using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI).MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 103 participants with PPTH, 296 with migraine and 155 HCs. All underwent 3.0 Tesla qMRI using standardized sequences to generate quantitative T2 (qT2), quantitative T1 (qT1) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. Intracortical voxel values were projected onto the cortical surface for surface-based analysis. Group comparisons were adjusted for age and sex, with correction for multiple comparisons. Associations with clinical variables were explored in regions showing significant group differences.ResultsCompared with HCs, participants with PPTH showed elevated qT2 values in the left lateral occipital cortex (<i>p</i>_cluster = 0.0002). Compared with migraine, those with PPTH exhibited lower ADC values in the left superior frontal cortex (<i>p</i>_cluster = 0.0020). Relative to migraine with aura, additional reductions in qT1 and ADC values were found in the right middle and inferior temporal gyri (all <i>p</i>_cluster < 0.01), and, relative to migraine without aura, lower ADC values were detected in the right middle temporal gyrus (<i>p</i>_cluster = 0.0002).ConclusionsCortical microstructural alterations in PPTH suggest underlying neurobiological processes distinct from both migraine and healthy adults. The findings support a pathophysiological model involving chronic low-grade neuroinflammation.