Photo Credit: LightFieldStudios

The following is a summary of “Dynamic changes in glymphatic function in reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome,” published in the February 2024 issue of Pain by Wu et al.

Researchers started a retrospective study investigating glymphatic dynamics in reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) and its association with clinical features.

They involved patients with RCVS and HCs (August 2020 and November 2023). Diffusion-tensor imaging was utilized along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) index on a 3-T MRI. Clinical and vascular investigations were carried out using transcranial color-coded duplex sonography in RCVS subjects. RCVS individuals were categorized into acute (≤ 30 days) and remission (≥ 90 days) groups based on the interval between disease onset and MRI. Time trends, acute stage, and longitudinal changes were analyzed in the DTI-ALPS index. Correlations between the DTI-ALPS index and vascular and clinical parameters were examined. Bonferroni correction was applied to vascular investigations (q = 0.05/11).

The results showed that 138 patients with RCVS (mean age, 46.8 years ± 11.8; 128 women) and 42 HCs (mean age, 46.0 years ± 4.5; 35 women) were included. Acute RCVS had a lower DTI-ALPS index compared to HCs (P<0.001) and remission RCVS (P<0.001). A continuous increase in the DTI-ALPS trend was observed post-disease onset. The DTI-ALPS was inversely related to internal carotid arteries resistance index and six-item Headache Impact test scores. Conversely, during 50–100 days post-disease onset, the DTI-ALPS index was positively correlated with middle cerebral artery flow velocity.

Investigators concluded that glymphatic function linked to vascular changes and headache severity, suggesting waste clearance, blood vessel control, and pain perception interactions.

Source: thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s10194-024-01726-1