13. Computerized spectral analysis EEG (CSA) in diagnosis of childhood migraine

In most cases the symptom of headache does not become an objective neurologic sign, so that some problems of quantitative measurement and follow up can arise. We studied brain electrical activity in childhood migraine by a non-invasive neurophysiological technique (B.E.A.M.-Brain Electrical Activity Mapping). This method performs analog-to-digital conversion on the signals in order to process maps of quantitative bioelectrical activity. The aim of this study is to produce an objective measure of the neurological symptom of headache by instrumental neurophysiological evaluation in clinical diagnosis and during therapeutic follow up. We have selected 12 children with classic migraine (1.2 according to IHS, 1988) at: T0 = within 48 hours from acute attack T1 = after 15 days from acute attack T2 = after 30 days from acute attack We used standardized methodology: bioelectrical spontaneous activity (EEG-CSA: Hf = 50HZ, Lf = 0.3Hz, sensitivity = 50microV; band limits: delta = 0.5-3.5 Hz. theta = 4.0-7.5 Hz, alpha = 8.0-12.5 Hz, beta = 13.0-30.0 Hz: epoch = 30 sec) was recorded from AgCl cup electrodes placed on 19 positions corresponding to 10-20 International System. One electrode not included in the map was used to monitor artifacts; reference electrodes were on linked earlobes. We show an example of EEG-CSA maps in a child with classic migraine: -TO = parietal focal delta rhythm (absolute power); -T1 = parietal focal theta rhythm (absolute power); -T2 = no focal pathological rhythm, diffuse slowing of deep bioelectrical activity. Migraine with aura (anoxic-ischemic focal pathogenesis) is the best form of migraine to be studied by this neurophysiological technique. In an acute attack the power maps of focal delta rhythm are the expression of transient brain pathological state; this condition goes back to normality after several days. B.E.A.M. can be used to evaluate neurological symptoms of migraine in clinical diagnosis and therapy.