Researchers from Norwegian University of Science and Technology have unveiled new insights into how sleep deprivation exacerbates migraines. The study sheds light on the brain’s response to pain in sleep-deprived individuals suffering from this debilitating condition.
For the first time, scientists have explored the intricate relationship between sleep deprivation and migraine headaches, uncovering significant findings that could shape future treatments. Led by Petter Moe Omland, a medical doctor and postdoctoral fellow at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), this research delves into how insufficient sleep impacts the brain’s response to pain in migraine sufferers.
Migraine, marked by throbbing headaches, sensitivity to light, nausea and vomiting, affects approximately 15% of the Norwegian population, mirroring global statistics.
This prevalent condition is the leading cause of disability among individuals aged 16 to 50, impacting education, careers, and quality of life.
“These are important years in one’s life when it comes to school, higher education and career. Migraines are a great burden for both the individual and society. Many people who struggle with migraine are away from work a lot. This is a very common disorder that we need to understand better so that better treatment can be provided,” Omland said in a news release.
The study, published in the journal Cephalalgia, shines a light on the long-suspected link between sleep and migraine.
“It is well known that sleep can relieve migraine headaches, migraine attacks can start during or after sleep, and many people with migraine say that disturbed sleep triggers attacks,” added Omland.
The participants, comprising migraine sufferers and healthy control subjects, were subjected to both normal and reduced sleep across different days.
They were examined twice on different days, after either normal or reduced sleep conditions. Sleep quality was tracked using sleep diaries and electronic meters.
During the examinations, they wore caps equipped with EEG electrodes to monitor brain activity in response to pain induced by laser and electrical stimulation.
This method allowed researchers to measure brain activity and examine the processing of pain signals following sleep deprivation.
The research uncovered that the cerebral cortex in migraine sufferers reacts differently to pain after sleep deprivation compared to those without migraines. This discovery adds a critical piece to the complex puzzle of understanding migraine triggers and management.
Remarkably, the findings suggest that sleep deprivation diminishes the brain’s ability to mitigate pain signals in migraine sufferers.
“The mechanisms that are supposed to reduce pain do not work quite as in people who do not have migraines. The pain is not dampened as much as in healthy people,” Omland added.