The view that “spreading oligemia” reflects spreading depression in the human brain during the migraine aura is based on a defective analysis of CBF data where the most important methodological source of error (scattered radiation) has been ignored. When scattered radiation is taken into account it appears that CBF in the low flow area during the migraine aura is reduced to the ischemic level. There is no reason to believe that “spreading” of the low flow area occurs. Most likely the blood flow decreases in an area of fixed size. All available CBF evidence in fact lends support to “the vascular theory” of migraine pathogenesis.
HansenAJLauritzenMSpreading depression of Leao. In:OlesenJEdvinssonL edsBasic mechanisms of headache.Amsterdam, New York, Oxford:Elsevier,1988:99–107
3.
LeaoAAPSpreading depression of activity in the cerebral cortex.J Neurophysiol1944;7:359–90
4.
WolffHGHeadache and other head pain.New York:Oxford University Press,1963
5.
SkinhøjEHemodynamic studies within the brain during migraine.Arch Neurol1973;29:95–8
6.
SimardDPaulsonOBCerebral vasomotor paralysis during migraine attack.Arch Neurol1973;29:95–8
7.
NorrisJWHachinskiVCCooperPWChanges in cerebral blood flow during a migraine attack.Br Med J1975;3:676–7
8.
HachinskiVCOlesenJNorrisJWLarsenBEnevoldsenELassenNACerebral hemodynamics in migraine.Can J Neurol Sci1977;4:245–9
9.
OlesenJLarsenBLauritzenMFocal hyperemia followed by spreading oligemia and impaired activation of rCBF in classic migraine.Ann Neurol1981;9:344–52
10.
LauritzenMOlsenTSLassenNAPaulsonBThe changes of regional cerebral blood flow during the course of classical migraine attacks.Ann Neurol1983;13:633–41
11.
LauritzenMJørgensenMBDiemerNHGjeddeAHansenAJPersisting oligemia of rat cerebral cortex in the wake of spreading depression.Ann Neurol1982;12:469–74
12.
OlsenTSFribergLLassenNAIschemia may be the primary cause of the neurological deficits in classic migraine.Arch Neurol1987;44:156–61
13.
OlsenTSLassenNABlood flow and vascular reactivity during attacks of classic migraine-limitations of the Xe-133 intra-arterial technique.Headache1989;29:15–20
14.
OlsenTSMigraine with and without aura: the same disease due to cerebral vasospasm of different intensity. A hypothesis based on CBF studies during migraine.Headache1990;30:269–72
15.
OlsenTSLarsenBBech SkriverEEnevoldsenELassenNAFocal cerebral ischemia measured by the intra-arterial 133--Xenon method.Stroke1981;12:736–44
16.
LauritzenMOlesanJRegional cerebral blood flow during migraine attacks by Xenon-133 inhalation and emission tomography.Brain1984;107:447–61
17.
HansenAJLauritzenMSpreading depression of Leao. In:OlesenJEdvinssonL edsBasic mechanisms of headache.Amsterdam, New York, Oxford:Elsevier,1988:99–107
18.
HeissW-DFlow thresholds of functional and morphological damage of brain tissue.Stroke1983;14:329–31
