Inflammatory and atherogenic markers linked to white matter hyperintensities in migraine without traditional vascular risk factors.

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are common in people with migraines. This study looked at how inflammation and atherogenic markers relate to WMH. Researchers studied 320 participants, including migraine patients and healthy controls. They categorized migraine patients based on their Fazekas grade, which indicates WMH severity. They measured levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and other markers. The study found that CRP levels were higher in patients with more severe WMH. Additionally, the total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) ratio was also increased in these patients. Participants with certain health issues, like obesity or alcohol use disorder, were excluded from the study. The findings suggest that inflammation might play a role in the development of WMH in migraine patients. This could help in understanding migraine-related brain changes and potential treatment approaches for affected individuals. Clinical relevance: This research indicates that inflammation may contribute to brain changes in migraine patients, suggesting new treatment strategies targeting inflammatory processes could be beneficial.