Selective amplification of ipRGC signals accounts for interictal photophobia in migraine
Abstract
The melanopsin-containing intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) may contribute to photophobia in migraine. We measured visual discomfort and pupil responses to cone and melanopsin stimulation—the photoreceptor inputs to the ipRGCs—in people with and without migraine. We find that people with migraine do not differ from those without headaches in how cone and melanopsin signals are weighted and combined to produce visual discomfort. Instead, migraine is associated with amplification of ipRGC signals for discomfort. This effect of migraine upon ipRGC signals is limited to photophobia, as we did not find an enhancement of pupil responses or a change in other behaviors linked to ipRGC function. Our findings suggest a postretinal amplification of ipRGC signals for photophobia in migraine.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jul 06, 2020
- Source ID
- 10.1073/pnas.2007402117
Entities
People
- Aleksandra Igdalova
- Brett Cucchiara
- David H. Brainard
- Edda B Haggerty
- Eric A Kaiser
- Geoffrey Karl Aguirre
- Harrison McAdams
Organizations
- National Eye Institute
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- National Institute on Aging
- United States Department of Defense
- University of Pennsylvania