Overview

In this project, the aim is to recruit patients with drug resistant epilepsy and those suffering from migraine. Interestingly, patients suffering from epilepsy are also more often reporting to suffer from migraine. The pathobiology is understudied, but it is believed that both etiologies results from brain networks changes. A clinical certified 7T Terra Siemens scanner will be employed to assess in all participants (including healthy controls) how the microstructure differs in disease specific areas. Patients will further be clinically assessed as well as undergo questionnaires.

Migraine is also a common comorbidity to visual snow syndrom and has been shown to impact similar brain regions. However, the pathophysiology is still understudied and a better understanding of the two diseases is needed.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients

• Patient must be able to read and sign the informed consent form
• Stable prophylactic medication for 2 months prior to MRI
• At leat one of the two criteria applies:
• Patients diagnosed with migraine (with or without aura, episodic or chronic). Diagnosis is ensured by clinical interview (at least 8 weeks prior to MRI). Also, patients complete a migraine questionnaire (HARDSHIP) (at least 8 weeks before MRI). Migraine frequency ≥ 2 migraine attacks/month.
• Patients with drug resistent epilepsy accroding to ILAE crtieria
• Patients with diagnoses of Visual snow syndrome

Healthy participants;

• No migraine (validated by questionnaire) or epilepsy
• Participants must be able to read and sign the informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• Treatment of migraine disease with Botox within < 4 months before baseline and during the study period
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Intention during the course of the trial to become pregnant
• Women with bilateral ovariectomy, with or without hysterectomy, and postmenopausal women (>2 years of age) are not considered childbearing.
• Other clinically significant comorbidities (e.g., renal insufficiency, hepatic dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, etc.),
• Known or suspected noncompliance with the protocol, drug or alcohol abuse,
• Patient's inability to follow trial procedures, e.g., due to language problems, mental illness, dementia, etc.,
• Prior participation in the clinical trial
• Enrolment of the investigator, his/ her family members, employees and other dependent persons of the test personnel
• Metallic objects in the body (e.g., splinters, MR incompatible implants).
• Pacemaker
• Claustrophobia
• Obesity (body mass index > 35 kg/m2)