Towards dynamical network biomarkers in neuromodulation of episodic migraine

Transl Neurosci. 2013 Sep;4(3):10.2478/s13380-013-0127-0. doi: 10.2478/s13380-013-0127-0.

Abstract

Computational methods have complemented experimental and clinical neurosciences and led to improvements in our understanding of the nervous systems in health and disease. In parallel, neuromodulation in form of electric and magnetic stimulation is gaining increasing acceptance in chronic and intractable diseases. In this paper, we firstly explore the relevant state of the art in fusion of both developments towards translational computational neuroscience. Then, we propose a strategy to employ the new theoretical concept of dynamical network biomarkers (DNB) in episodic manifestations of chronic disorders. In particular, as a first example, we introduce the use of computational models in migraine and illustrate on the basis of this example the potential of DNB as early-warning signals for neuromodulation in episodic migraine.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Central pattern generator; Hodgkin-Huxley models; Migraine; Neuromodulation; Nonlinear dynamics; Pain; Spreading depression.