Oculo-vestibular signs in experimentally induced migraine attacks: an exploratory analysis

This database includes the raw data linked with the study “Oculo-vestibular signs in experimentally induced migraine attacks: an exploratory analysis”.

In this study, we aim to study the occurrence of oculo-vestibular signs (OVSs) during experimentally induced migraine attacks in 24 episodic migraine patients and 19 healthy controls exposed to sublingual nitroglycerin (NTG 0.9 mg). We recorded the following parameters: evaluation of Head Impulse Test (HIT), Nystagmus with and without fixation, and Test of Skew with cover test (according to the HINTS examination, a validated and sensitive tool for detecting central vestibular dysfunction[8]); evaluation of smooth pursuit, vergence, saccadic ocular movements, head-shaking test (HST). Modification or appearance of nystagmus without visual fixation and in the position of Rose (supine with head hanging down) were also assessed.

The examination was performed at baseline and before hospital discharge (T-180 post-NTG administration). In the subjects with a migraine-like attack occurring within the 180-minute observation period, the oculo-vestibular examination was repeated at migraine onset (T-MIG+).

Sixteen migraine patients developed a migraine-like headache; in 13 of them, the onset occurred during the 180-minute observation period.  Three migraine patients (12.5%) developed new-onset OVSs during the induction test, at T-MIG+. The documented OVSs were still present at T-180 in all three patients. Two subjects (ID = 2 and ID = 17) had a down-beating nystagmus, which was not modified by visual fixation or position of Rose. The third subject (ID = 21) showed a positive HIT with overt saccades; in this subject a left beating nystagmus evoked by the HST was also observed. None of the patients with a negative induction test (MIG- group) developed OVSs throughout the study. Of note, none of the 4 subjects with OVSs reported oculo-vestibular symptoms during the observation period. Finally, we did not find any OVSs in HC group across all time-points