TRIGEMINAL EVOKED-POTENTIALS IN MIGRAINE

Trigeminal evoked potentials (TEP) were studied in 19 patients with mi graine without aura. Significant shortening of latent periods of early and late TEP components was observed during stimulation on the side o f headache as compared with the same indices during stimulation on non algesic side. Hyperreactivity of trigeminal vascular system in patient s with migraine without aura during the period between the attacks is discussed. Asymmetry of latent TEP periods may determine the preferent ial side of headache, on the one hand, and may reflect the changes in trigeminal system following the repeated lateralized fits of migraine, on the other hand. Administration of 1 g of aspirin resulted in incre ase (normalization) of the latentions of TEP components. After efferal gan administration TEP changes were not registed. The suggestion is ma de that inhibitory influence of aspirin on the truncal trigeminal syst em is one of the central mechanisms of its action.