DEFICIT OF BRAIN AND SKELETAL-MUSCLE BIOENERGETICS AND LOW BRAIN MAGNESIUM IN JUVENILE MIGRAINE - AN IN-VIVO P-31 MAGNETIC-RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY INTERICTAL STUDY

We used phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)p MRS) to inve stigate in vivo the brain and skeletal muscle energy metabolism of 15 children with migraine with aura in interictal periods. Brain P-31 MRS disclosed low phosphocreatine and high inorganic phosphate contents, and high intracellular pH in all patients. Calculated [ADP] and the re lative rate of mitochondrial oxidation were higher in the brain of pat ients than in control subjects, whereas the phosphorylation potential was lower. Brain intracellular free Mg2+ concentration was reduced by 25% in patients. Abnormal skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration wa s also disclosed in 7 of 15 patients as shown by the slow rate of phos phocreatine postexercise recovery. The multisystem bioenergetic failur e found in patients with juvenile migraine is comparable to that found in adults with different types of migraine.