Migraine and light: A narrative review

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftReviewForskningfagfællebedømt

  • Ada R. Artemenko
  • Elena Filatova
  • Yulia D. Vorobyeva
  • Thien Phu Do
  • dlt446, dlt446
  • Alexey B. Danilov

Objective: In this narrative review, we summarize clinical and experimental data on the effect of light in migraine and discuss future prospects. Background: Effective nonpharmacological treatment of hypersensitivity to light in migraine is an unmet clinical need. Current management strategies primarily consist of seeking a dark room and avoiding light exposure. Advances in the past 2 decades have improved our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of how migraine is influenced by light. This may provide promising avenues for novel approaches in clinical management. Methods: We searched MEDLINE for articles published from database inception up to September 1, 2021. We used the search term “migraine” with the search terms “light,” “photophobia,” “treatment,” “trigger,” “circadian rhythm,” “environment,” and/or “pathophysiology.”. Results: Light is commonly reported as a trigger factor of migraine attacks, however, early manifestation of photophobia and false attribution is likely the actual cause based on data deriving from retrospective, prospective, and experimental studies. The most common photophobia symptoms in migraine are exacerbation of headache by light and abnormal sensitivity to light with the underlying neural pathways likely being dependent on ongoing activity in the trigeminovascular system. Clinical studies and experimental models have identified mediators of photophobia and uncovered narrow wavebands of the light spectrum that may reduce pain intensity during a migraine attack. Consequently, novel devices have undergone exploratory clinical trials with promising results. Conclusion: False attribution is likely the reason why light is commonly reported as a trigger factor of migraine attacks, and a prospective confirmation is required to prevent unnecessary avoidance. The observation that individuals with migraine are not equally photophobic to all wavebands of the light spectrum opens the potential for innovative pain management strategies. In this context, using human-centric lighting (also called integrative lighting) to mimic the natural daylight cycle and avoid harmful wavebands through modern technology may prove beneficial. Future research should identify direct and indirect consequences of light and other environmental factors in migraine to fill out knowledge gaps and enable evidence-based care strategies within institutions, work environments, and other settings.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftHeadache
Vol/bind62
Udgave nummer1
Sider (fra-til)4-10
Antal sider7
ISSN0017-8748
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2022

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
A.R.A., E.F., Y.D.V., T.P.D., and A.B.D. report no conflicts of interest. M.A. has received personal fees from AbbVie/Allergan, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Lundbeck, Novartis, and Teva Pharmaceuticals. He is the principal investigator for ongoing clinical trials for AbbVie/Allergan, Amgen, and Lundbeck. He has received research grants from Lundbeck Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, and Novartis. He serves as associate editor of Cephalalgia, The Journal of Headache and Pain, and Brain. He is the Past President of the International Headache Society.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 American Headache Society

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