Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40083312›Full record

ArticleBrain and behavior2025

Electroencephalographic Resting-State Microstates are Unstable in Visual Snow Syndrome.

Sarah A Aeschlimann, Antonia Klein, Frédéric Zubler, Christoph J Schankin, Matthias Ertl

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Article in Brain and behavior, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

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2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Sarah A AeschlimannDepartment of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4198-3130
Antonia KleinDepartment of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8934-1124
Frédéric ZublerSleep-Wake-Epilepsy-Center, Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0090-7297
Christoph J SchankinDepartment of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4668-6098
Matthias ErtlDepartment of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6823-1935

Funding

Gottfried und Julia Bangerter-Rhyner-StiftungSwiss Headache Society
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo study large-scale network processing in visual snow syndrome (VSS) with and without migraine, we applied resting-state electroencephalographic microstate analysis.

backgroundVSS is characterized by a spectrum of visual symptoms, with the main symptom being perceived as flickering dots throughout the visual field. The syndrome is associated with migraine and tinnitus and is considered a network disorder, but the cause and pathophysiology are still largely unknown.

methodsIn this case-control study, resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) recordings were selected from a cohort of 21 subjects with VSS (8 females, 33 ± 9.56 years, 14 migraines) and 21 matched controls (8 females, 33 ± 11.1 years, 14 migraines). An analysis of parameters between the four canonical microstate Classes A-D was performed.

resultsVSS patients showed an overall shorter duration (p = 0.001, Cohen's d = -0.48) and lower mean amplitude (p < 0.001, Cohen's d = -0.76) of microstates compared to the controls. In addition, we found an aberrant syntax of microstate Class A (auditive and visual processing) with more (p = 0.001, Cohen's d = 0.57) transitions to Class B (visual) and less (p = 0.011, d = -0.71) to Class C (interoceptive, salience) compared to controls.

conclusionVisual snow syndrome (VSS) is a complex disorder, affecting widespread neural network activity. In VSS, electroencephalography (EEG) microstate analysis revealed unstable microstates as well as aberrant transition probabilities, indicating disturbed large-scale network activity. The analysis of microstate dynamics in VSS complements the results of imaging with high temporal resolution and could contribute to the development of future treatment approaches.

Indexed as

BrainVision DisordersVisual PerceptionAdultCase-Control StudiesElectroencephalographyFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedMigraine DisordersPerceptual DisordersSyndromeYoung AdultEEG microstateslarge‐scale network processingneural network activityresting‐state EEGvisual snow

Identifiers

PMID40083312
PMCPMC11907104

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