Visual Motion Sensitivity in Migraine Associated Vertigo

The headache manifestation of migraine is well known to the public, but less well known is that migraine often produces dizziness symptoms. These dizziness symptoms are often present continuously throughout the day and although they often occur in patients who have a history of migraine headache, they are usually not temporally correlated with the headache symptoms.

These dizziness symptoms often at their worst when riding in vehicles especially when attempting other tasks such as reading, walking down supermarket aisles, riding amusement park attractions, watching movies with significant camera motion or video games, and using computers applications which involve a scrolling screen. There are currently no good diagnostic tests to screen for this condition or assess its severity.

This research project uses a web-based application which allows subjects to complete a visual acuity task with increasingly complicated visual backgrounds and background motion. The goal of the project is to develop baseline performance levels which may be indicative of migraine associated vertigo severity, and serve as a basis for future diagnostic testing. Further aims include determining any therapeutic potential of habituation to motion stimuli over time, and monitoring the efficacy of other therapies. Because the application is web-based and will run on standard computer equipment it can easily be used by patients on a daily basis from their home or work place.

migraine motion

Migraine Motion

Researcher: Benjamin T. Crane, Ph.D.
The interaction of vision, the vestibular system, and human disease on motion perception.