Intrinsic Brain Functional Activity Abnormalities in Episodic Tension-Type Headache

Abstract

Objective. The neurobiological basis of episodic tension-type headache (ETTH) remains largely unclear. The aim of the present study was to explore intrinsic brain functional activity alterations in ETTH. Methods. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were collected from 32 patients with ETTH and 32 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs). Differences in intrinsic brain functional activity between patients with ETTH and HCs were analyzed utilizing the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) approach. Correlation analyses were performed to examine the relationship between fALFF alterations and clinical characteristics. Results. Compared to HCs, patients with ETTH exhibited increased fALFF in the right posterior insula and anterior insula and decreased fALFF in the posterior cingulate cortex. Moreover, the fALFF in the right anterior insula was negatively correlated with attack frequency in ETTH. Conclusions. This study highlights alterations in the intrinsic brain functional activity in the insula and posterior cingulate cortex in ETTH that can help us understand its neurobiological underpinnings.