Skip to main content

MINI REVIEW article

Front. Neurol., 12 April 2019
Sec. Headache and Neurogenic Pain
This article is part of the Research Topic Clinical and Pathophysiological Peculiarities of Headache in Children and Adolescents View all 12 articles

Non-invasive Brain Stimulation in Pediatric Migraine: A Perspective From Evidence in Adult Migraine

\r\nFilippo BrighinaFilippo Brighina1Vincenzo Raieli*Vincenzo Raieli2*Luca Maria MessinaLuca Maria Messina2Giuseppe SantangeloGiuseppe Santangelo2Domenico PumaDomenico Puma2Flavia DragoFlavia Drago2Lucia RocchitelliLucia Rocchitelli2Francesca VanadiaFrancesca Vanadia2Giuseppe GigliaGiuseppe Giglia1Salvatore ManganoSalvatore Mangano3
  • 1Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze and Diagnostica Avanzata (BiND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
  • 2ARNAS Ospedali Civico Di Cristina Benfratelli, Palermo, Italy
  • 3Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza “G. D'Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

Pediatric migraine remains still a challenge for the headache specialists as concerns both diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. The less ability of children to describe the exact features of their migraines and the lack of reliable biomarker for migraine contribute to complicate the diagnostic process. Therefore, there's need for new effective tools for supporting diagnostic and therapeutic approach in children with migraine. Recently, promising results have been obtained in adult headache by means of application of neurostimulation techniques both for investigating pathophysiological mechanisms and also for therapeutical applications. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) indeed proved to be generally safe and showing also some evidence of efficacy particularly for the symptomatic treatment. On such basis, in the last years increasing interest is rising in scientific pediatric community to evaluate the potential of such approaches for treatment pediatric headaches, particularly in migraine, even if the evidence provided is still very poor. Here we present a perspective for application of TMS and tDCS technique in children migraine principally based on evidence coming by studies in adults.

Introduction

Pediatric migraine remains a challenge for headache specialists, as concerns both diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. The low ability of children to describe the exact features of their migraines and the lack of reliable biomarkers complicate the diagnostic process, while symptomatic and prophylactic treatments are limited due to placebo effect and the parents' fear of pharmacological side effects (13). Therefore, there is a need for new effective tools for supplementing the existing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in children with migraine.

Recently, promising results have been obtained in adult headache by applying neurostimulation techniques for investigation of pathophysiological mechanisms as well as for identification of potential clinical biomarkers, and last, but not least, of possible better-tolerated therapeutic alternatives (4). On such basis, over the last few years, the scientific pediatric community has become increasingly interested in evaluating these methods with respect to the therapeutic approach to pediatric headaches, particularly migraine.

Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques are defined as neurophysiological approaches for transcranial application of electrical currents or magnetic fields that are able to modulate brain activity, and are employed for investigating pathophysiology and also as diagnostic and therapeutic tools in many neuropsychiatric diseases (4). The first reported application of neurostimulation dates back to the first century AD, when Scribonius Largus relieved pain using the black torpedo, a bioelectric fish, delivering an electrical pulse to the painful area (5). Subsequently, from nineteenth century onward, new electrical generators were utilized; since then, the application of electric stimulation of the vagal nerve has been used, at first, for treatment of refractory epilepsy, and later, also in different pain states (4). Other NIBS techniques have also been experimented with for treatment of pain and other neuropsychiatric diseases in adults, but in the field of pediatric headache, only some anecdotal reports are available. The majority of these reports are principally aimed at exploration of safety issues associated with the techniques (69).

Neuromodulation can modify the activity of several brain networks by modulating neuronal excitability, and excitatory or inhibitory effects, depending on different stimulation parameters (polarity, duration, or frequency of stimuli) (4). The NIBS techniques have the relevant advantage of inducing brain changes by non-invasive stimulation, which does not require intervention for application of permanent leads, is painless and optimally tolerated, and can be employed in awake subjects at rest or during execution of different tasks. These techniques function through transcranial application of magnetic or electric currents (transcranial magnetic [TMS] and electrical stimulation [tES], respectively).

In TMS, weak but rapid electric currents are elicited in the brain regions through fast variation of magnetic field (4), which activates cortical neurons, triggering them to discharge; TMS can be delivered in a single pulse, double pulse, or trains of repeated pulses (repetitive TMS [rTMS]). The first modality has been principally employed to study brain physiology and for diagnosis of diseases of the motor system and pathways, but has also found therapeutic application in symptomatic treatment of migraine with aura attack (10).

Double-pulse TMS has found application in investigation of cortical facilitation and inhibition owing to the ability of paired stimulation to selectively modulate cortical inhibitory or facilitatory circuits depending on the interval between the pulses (11, 12). Further, rTMS can induce lasting effects determining prolonged neuroexcitability-related changes that remain beyond stimulation, suggesting the potential for therapeutic use in neuropsychiatric diseases with abnormal (increased or decreased) cortical excitability, especially for long-term treatment (13). Generally, high-frequency stimulation increases cortical excitability while low-frequency decreases it; however, several modifications of stimulation parameters allow flexibility in the brain responses obtained, depending further on different diseases (4, 9).

Conversely, tES functions through application of direct or alternating weak currents (0.5–2 mA), delivered via electrodes attached to the scalp. The initial, and yet most frequent, approach is based on application of direct currents (transcranial direct current stimulation [tDCS]); tDCS acts by modulating neuronal excitability. Contrary to TMS, tDCS is not able to induce direct neural activation but affects excitability through polarization. Anodic currents induce depolarization, increasing excitability and the probability of spontaneous firing, while an opposite inhibitory effect is induced by cathodal stimulation through neuronal hyperpolarization (13). Further, tDCS is able to induce long-lasting neuroplastic effects that have been found to be critically dependent on glutamate-NMDA neuro-transmission and represents the physiological basis for therapeutic application (4, 13).

Here we present a perspective about the potential of NBS techniques in children migraine based on data about safety, coming from studies on other disease in children, and on evidence about efficacy by TMS and tES studies in adult migraineurs.

Safety of TMS and tDCS in the Pediatric Population

The safety of NIBS techniques has been mainly studied in the adult population, and there are only a few reports on their use in the pediatric population (69). These pediatric studies investigated mainly single-pulse or paired-pulse TMS protocols that are not of therapeutic interest. A recent report examined in detail the issue of safety of TMS and tDCS in children through an extensive review of the articles published till 2014; based on an electronic search, 48 studies were found and evaluated, including a population of more than 500 children, and adolescents aged 2.5–17.8 years (9). The NIBS methods were used in several disorders (autism, epilepsy, depression, etc.). In nine studies, patients underwent only a single stimulation session while in the others, designed for therapeutic purposes, more stimulation sessions were applied; the frequency and number of stimulation sessions varied across reports, ranging from repeated daily to weekly sessions. In these studies, TMS was the most commonly applied NIBS technique, with different parameters of stimulation on referred thresholds as control, globally reporting only 1.2% important negative side effects (seizure and syncope). Minor side effects were headache, scalp discomfort, fatigue, neck stiffness, etc. Headache is a more frequent side effect (11.5%), although it is temporary and usually does not need any therapy. Sixteen studies were found to have used tDCS, accounting for more than 190 subjects, and the methodology varied considerably for range of intensity, session duration, and session number. Serious side effects were not reported, while mild side effects (redness, tingling, itching sensation, etc.) were reported in cumulative analysis, with the frequency ranging from 1.5 to 11.5%; they were transitory and no medical treatments were needed. The authors' conclusion was that TMS and tDCS are safe (1% serious adverse effect); however, considering that the majority of the data obtained using these methods originate from adult studies, it is necessary to follow some precautions, such as not including subjects with alcohol consumption, epileptogenic medication intake, recent cranial trauma, or history of seizures. Further, the authors suggested searching for possible history of syncope in order to minimize the risks. The fact that headache was the more common mild side effect suggests the contraction of the muscles near the stimulation site as a possible cause. Headache, always mild and brief, was also reported in the sham groups (i.e., placebo stimulation), suggesting non-specific effects.

The tDCS appears to present fewer side effects, especially those related to the site of stimulation, and local symptoms are principally observed in the adult population, whereas no skin lesion is reported in children. In the adult population, repeated tDCS sessions did not appear to increase side effects (14); however, the lack of studies with prolonged repetition over time does not allow clear conclusions to be drawn regarding long-term safety of tDCS in these populations, even if studies on animal models suggest safety of long-term use (15).

Our actual conclusion on the safety of using TMS and tDCS in the pediatric population are limited by the low sample size (~500 subjects), variability in the stimulation parameters that does not allow correlation between specific parameters and side effects, few long-term studies, the fact that many studies are performed on other outcomes and not specifically to evaluate the safety via appropriate questionnaires or follow-up, the lack of correlation with structural, neurophysiological, and general data (MRI, different neurophysiological alterations, or blood test results).

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Use of TMS and tDCS in the Pediatric Migrainous Population

Several cortical and subcortical areas are involved in the pathogenesis of pain and migraine; a central role is played by the trigeminocervical complex, which has sensitive afferents and connections with the autonomic nervous system, as well as other subcortical and cortical centers. The trigemino-vascular system and trigemino-autonomic reflexes are believed to be involved in the main mechanism of migraine pain through multiple vasoactive peptides (calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide, etc.) (16). Cortical and subcortical areas (the occipital and associative cortices, hypothalamus, periaqueductal gray, and locus coeruleus) are believed to activate, inhibit, or modulate the trigeminocervical complex (17). Peripheral and central sensitization mechanisms are invoked as causes of signs and symptoms of migraine attack and chronicization (18). On these bases, it is reasonable that each of the aforementioned nodes could represent a target of putative non-pharmacological strategies.

Visual aura has been extensively investigated as a marker of cortical dysfunction. The TMS has been used to analyze cortical excitability through the phosphene thresholds in migraineurs and controls (1921). A single pulse applied to the visual cortex can induce an artificial percept or “phosphene,” which may be enhanced by adding a conditioning stimulus. The evoked phosphenes increase depending on the stimulation intensity, allowing establishment of the “phosphene threshold” of a subject. The phosphene threshold may also be modulated by TMS stimuli applied to the associated cortical area. Phosphene-induction using TMS allows assessment of the occipital cortex excitability in subjects with and without migraine. In the adult population, data suggest the existence of primary visual cortex hyperexcitability, especially in migraine with aura (21). These studies are limited by variability of stimulation parameters in absence of uniformly adopted protocol for measuring phosphenes; however, response to TMS seems to be a very promising biomarker for migraine. Recently, anodal tDCS application to the temporal pole has been shown to enhance interictal excitability of the visual cortex in migraineurs, restoring normal habituations, underlining the role of the temporal pole in visual processing (22).

Evidently, in the pediatric population, the data are few and sparse, and show lower phosphene thresholds in interictal migraineurs vs. controls, with changing excitability levels 1–2 days before migraine attacks, reflecting the relation of fluctuating excitability to the migraine cycle (23). To date, to our knowledge, only one pivotal study (24) in adolescents affected by migraine has explored the therapeutic use of rTMS as a preventive treatment, showing reduction in the number of headache days, use of abortive drugs, and MIgraine Disability Assessment score, and safe use and few side effects. However, the study has several limitations, such as an open-label design and small sample population.

The matter, however, is worth investigating further because NIBS showed promise in the treatment of pain and migraine in adults. High-frequency magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex indeed showed level A evidence of effectiveness against neuropathic pain (13). A large randomized study on a population migraineurs with visual aura using single-pulse stimulation for acute attacks showed significantly greater improvement following real stimulation, compared with sham stimulation, at 2 and 24 h with regard to the following outcome measures: pain relief, nausea, and phono- and photo-phobia, in the absence of side effects (10). The limitations of the study were mainly the sample population exhibiting only migraine with visual aura; moderate gain on sham effect (17%), lower than that reported using traditional therapeutic drugs such as triptans (25); and the difficulty in achieving a true blind effect with this method. The results from the ESPOUSE Study (26) (observational post-marketing study) support the possible therapeutic effect of TMS as a preventive agent against adult migraine, with low-to-mild side effects and no serious adverse effects. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration has authorized the use of single-pulse TMS for abortive therapeutic purposes (27).

In chronic migraine, the available results on rTMS prophylactic therapy are contradictory, with the few published studies having small sample populations, lack of consensus regarding brain targets, variation in stimulation parameters, and issues related to the utilized masks, causing difficulties in their comparison and establishment of clear conclusions regarding the effectiveness of TMS against chronic migraine (2830). However, the generally reported lack of side effects and the potential of this method make its use promising in the pediatric population, where the parents' fear of side effects is an important limitation on the use of pharmacological drugs (31).

tDCS in Pain and Migraine

To our knowledge, studies using tDCS in the treatment of pediatric migraine and pain have not yet been published. However, observing the increasing number of instances of tDCS use in adult pain and considering the data from its use in other pediatric disorders, we can hypothesize the effective application of this technique in pediatric pain. Evidence regarding the effect of tDCS on adult patients with migraine is still inconclusive; however, two studies applying cathodal currents over the primary visual cortex showed a significant amelioration of the symptoms compared with the baseline, pretreatment condition with respect to duration, intensity, and severity of attacks, even though only the intensity changed significantly compared with placebo sham stimulation (32, 33). No severe adverse effects were reported, with good tolerability. In a meta-analysis, Luedtke et al. (34) concluded that clinical data does not support the use of tDCS in the treatment of pain and migraine. However, the authors advise designing studies with larger sample populations using shared protocols on stimulation parameters and stimulation sites to better evaluate the effectiveness of this method, which is promising due to its low cost, easy applicability, non-invasiveness, and lack of serious adverse effects. These aspects are even more relevant in the context of the pediatric population, where tolerability, and non-invasiveness are critical characteristics for its consideration for therapeutic treatment.

Potential Strategies for TMS and tDCS Application in Pediatric Pain and Migraine, and Conclusions

The Cochrane reviews do not provide clear conclusions regarding the effectiveness of TMS and tDCS against adult chronic pain, although small benefits appear to have been observed. However, the authors point out many biases and important heterogeneities of these studies (30).

At the moment, it is not possible to establish useful guidelines on the use of TMS and tDCS in the treatment of pediatric migraine and, in general, for pediatric pain treatment. However, adult studies as well as preliminary pediatric reports show that the application of these techniques is safe, with few side effects, potentially low costs, and easy applicability. Furthermore, in adults, for some serious painful disorders, such as chronic regional pain syndrome, level A evidence has been obtained regarding the pain-relieving effects of these techniques. Preliminary reports, principally in adults but also in the pediatric population, suggest that migraine may represent an effective therapeutic target. Moreover, NBS of cortical areas as DLPFC, that has been explored in migraine, was found to be effective for treatment of other conditions, that are comorbid with disease, sharing also a stimulation target employed for migraine treatment, like DLPFC. Among these disorders, in addition to the role played by the psychiatric diseases, of particular importance is obesity which also favors the chronification of migraine (35, 36). Due to the large prevalence of the disease and the disability associated with it, and also considering the parents' relevant fears and concerns regarding pharmacological therapies, especially for continuing preventive treatment, pediatric migraine appears to be an optimal candidate for future studies on therapeutic NIBS. Therefore, this topic is worth exploring further through rigorous, opportunely suited randomized controlled trials with uniform diagnostic protocols, and stimulation parameters to reveal the real therapeutic potential of NIBS techniques against pediatric migraine.

Author Contributions

FB and VR study conception. LM, GS, DP, FD, and LR data collection. FB, VR, FV, and GG data analysis. FB, VR, and SM manuscript writing. FB, VR, SM, FV, and GG manuscript revision.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

References

1. Abu-Arafeh I, Razak S, Sivaraman B, Graham C. Prevalence of headache and migraine in children and adolescents: a systematic review of population-based studies. Dev Med Child Neurol. (2010) 52:1088–97. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2010.03793.x

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

2. Lipton RB, Manack A, Ricci JA, Chee E, Turkel CC, Winner P. Prevalence and burden of chronic migraine in adolescents: results of the chronic daily headache in adolescents study (C-dAS). Headache. (2011) 51:693–706. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2011.01885.x

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

3. Bonfert M, Straube A, Schroeder AS, Reilich P, Ebinger F, Heinen F. Primary headache in children and adolescents: update on pharmacotherapy of migraine and tension-type headache. Neuropediatrics. (2013) 44:3–19. doi: 10.1055/s-0032-1330856

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

4. Jenkins B, Tepper SJ. Neurostimulation for primary headache disorders, part 1, pathophysiology and anatomy, history of neuromodulation in headache treatment, and review of peripheral neuromodulation in primary headaches. Headache. (2011) 51:1254–66. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2011.01966.x

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

5. Wagner T, Valero-Cabre A, Pascual-Leone A. A Brief summary of the history of noninvasive brain stimulation. Annu Rev Biomed Eng. (2007) 9:527–65. doi: 10.1146/annurev.bioeng.9.061206.133100

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

6. Gilbert DL, Garvey MA, Bansal AS, Lipps T, Zhang J, Wassermann EM. Should transcranial magnetic stimulation research in children be considered minimal risk? Clin Neurophysiol. (2004) 115:1730–9. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2003.10.037

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

7. Wu SW, Shahana N, Huddleston DA, Lewis AN, Gilbert DL. Safety and tolerability of theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation in children. Dev Med Child Neurol. (2012) 54:636–9. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2012.04300.x

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

8. Rajapakse T, Kirton A. Non-invasive brain stimulation in children: applications and future directions. Transl Neurosci. (2013) 4:1–29. doi: 10.2478/s13380-013-0116-3

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

9. Krishnan C, Santos L, Peterson MD, Ehinger M. Safety of noninvasive brain stimulation in children and adolescents. Brain Stimul. (2015) 8:76–87. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2014.10.012

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

10. Lipton RB, Dodick DW, Silberstein SD, Saper JR, Aurora SK, Pearlman SH, et al. Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation for acute treatment of migraine with aura: a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, sham-controlled trial. Lancet Neurol. (2010) 9:373–80. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(10)70054-5

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

11. Hallett M. Transcranial magnetic stimulation: a primer. Neuron. (2007) 55:187–99. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2007.06.026

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

12. Rossini PM, Burke D, Chen R, Cohen LG, Daskalakis Z, Di Iorio R, et al. Non-invasive electrical and magnetic stimulation of the brain, spinal cord, roots and peripheral nerves: Basic principles and procedures for routine clinical and research application. An updated report from an IFCN Committee. Clin Neurophysiol. (2015) 126:1071–107. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2015.02.001

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

13. Lefaucheur JP, Antal A, Ayache S, Benninger DH, Brunelin J, Cogiamanian F, et al. Evidence-based guidelines on the therapeutic use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Clin Neurophysiol. (2017) 128:56–92. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2016.10.087

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

14. Nikolin S, Huggins C, Martin D, Alonzo A, Loo CK. Safety of repeated sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation: a systematic review. Brain Stimul. (2018) 11:278–88. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2017.10.020

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

15. Jackson MP, Truong D, Brownlow ML, Wagner JA, McKinley RA, Bikson M, et al. Safety parameter considerations of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation in rats. Brain Behav Immun. (2017) 64:152–61. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.04.008

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

16. Akerman S, Holland PR, Goadsby PJ. Diencephalic and brainstem mechanisms in migraine. Nat Rev Neurosci. (2011) 12:570–84. doi: 10.1038/nrn3057

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

17. Matharu MS, Bartsch T, Ward N, Frackowiak RSJ, Weiner R, Goadsby PJ. Central neuromodulation in chronic migraine patients with suboccipital stimulators: a PET study. Brain. (2004) 127:220–30. doi: 10.1093/brain/awh022

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

18. Noseda R, Burstein R. Migraine pathophysiology: anatomy of the trigeminovascular pathway and associated neurological symptoms, cortical spreading depression, sensitization, and modulation of pain. Pain. (2013) 154 (Suppl. 1):S44–53. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2013.07.021

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

19. Gerwig M, Niehaus L, Kastrup O, Stude P, Diener HC. Visual cortex excitability in migraine evaluated by single and paired magnetic stimuli. Headache. (2005) 45:1394–9. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2005.00272.x

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

20. Elkin-Frankston S, Fried PJ, Pascual-Leone A, Rushmore RJ, Valero-Cabre A. A novel approach for documenting phosphenes induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation. JoVE. (2010). doi: 10.3791/1762

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

21. Brigo F, Storti M, Tezzon F, Manganotti P, Nardone R. Primary visual cortex excitability in migraine: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Neurol Sci. (2013) 34:819–30. doi: 10.1007/s10072-012-1274-8

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

22. Cortese F, Pierelli F, Bove I, Di Lorenzo C, Evangelista M, Perrotta A, et al. Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the left temporal pole restores normal visual evoked potential habituation in interictal migraineurs. J Headache Pain. (2017) 18:70. doi: 10.1186/s10194-017-0778-2

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

23. Siniatchkin M, Reich A-L, Shepherd AJ, van Baalen A, Siebner HR, Stephani U. Peri-ictal changes of cortical excitability in children suffering from migraine without aura. Pain. (2009) 147:132–140. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2009.08.028

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

24. Irwin SL, Qubty W, Allen IE, Patniyot I, Goadsby PJ, Gelfand AA. Transcranial magnetic stimulation for migraine prevention in adolescents: a pilot open-label study. Headache. (2018) 58:724–31. doi: 10.1111/head.13284

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

25. Pringsheim T, Becker WJ. Triptans for symptomatic treatment of migraine headache. BMJ. (2014) 348:g2285. doi: 10.1136/bmj.g2285

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

26. Starling AJ, Tepper SJ, Marmura MJ, Shamim EA, Robbins MS, Hindiyeh N, et al. A multicenter, prospective, single arm, open label, observational study of sTMS for migraine prevention (ESPOUSE Study). Cephalalgia. (2018) 38:1038–48. doi: 10.1177/0333102418762525

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

27. Puledda F, Goadsby PJ. An update on non-pharmacological neuromodulation for the acute and preventive treatment of migraine. Headache. (2017) 57:685–91. doi: 10.1111/head.13069

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

28. Brighina F, Piazza A, Vitello G, Aloisio A, Palermo A, Daniele O, et al. rTMS of the prefrontal cortex in the treatment of chronic migraine: a pilot study. J Neurol Sci. (2004) 227:67–71. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2004.08.008

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

29. Brighina F, Cosentino G, Fierro B. Brain stimulation in migraine. Handb Clin Neurol. (2013) 116:585–98. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-53497-2.00047-4

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

30. O'Connell NE, Marston L, Spencer S, DeSouza LH, Wand BM. Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques for chronic pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. (2018) 4:CD008208. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008208.pub2

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

31. Raieli V, Compagno A, Pandolfi E, La Vecchia M, Puma D, La Franca G, et al. Headache: what do children and mothers expect from pediatricians? Headache. (2010) 50:290–300. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2009.01583.x

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

32. Antal A, Kriener N, Lang N, Boros K, Paulus W. Cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation of the visual cortex in the prophylactic treatment of migraine. Cephalalgia. (2011) 31:820–8. doi: 10.1177/0333102411399349

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

33. Wickmann F, Stephani C, Czesnik D, Klinker F, Timäus C, Chaieb L, et al. Prophylactic treatment in menstrual migraine: a proof-of-concept study. J Neurol Sci. (2015) 354:103–9. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.05.009

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

34. Luedtke K, Rushton A, Wright C, Geiss B, Juergens TP, May A. Transcranial direct current stimulation for the reduction of clinical and experimentally induced pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin J Pain. (2012) 28:452–61. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e31823853e3

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

35. Laino D, Vitaliti G, Parisi P, Pavone P, Verrotti A, Lubrano R, et al. Headache, migraine and obesity: an overview on plausible links. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. (2016) 30:333–8.

PubMed Abstract | Google Scholar

36. Pleger B. Invasive and non-invasive stimulation of the obese human brain. Front Neurosci. (2018) 12:884. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00884

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Keywords: transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, non-invasive brain stimulation, pediatric migraine, therapeutics

Citation: Brighina F, Raieli V, Messina LM, Santangelo G, Puma D, Drago F, Rocchitelli L, Vanadia F, Giglia G and Mangano S (2019) Non-invasive Brain Stimulation in Pediatric Migraine: A Perspective From Evidence in Adult Migraine. Front. Neurol. 10:364. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00364

Received: 31 December 2018; Accepted: 25 March 2019;
Published: 12 April 2019.

Edited by:

Massimiliano Valeriani, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital (IRCCS), Italy

Reviewed by:

Piero Pavone, Università degli Studi di Catania, Italy
Gianluca Coppola, Fondazione G.B. Bietti (IRCCS), Italy

Copyright © 2019 Brighina, Raieli, Messina, Santangelo, Puma, Drago, Rocchitelli, Vanadia, Giglia and Mangano. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Vincenzo Raieli, vincenzoraieli@gmail.com

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.