Association Between PFO and Migraine With Aura: A Case-Control Observational Study With Genetic and Neurosonological Analysis

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Other
Study Type: Observational
SUMMARY

The PFOCUS Study aims to clarify the relationship between patent foramen ovale (PFO) and migraine with aura (MA). Patients diagnosed with MA according to ICHD-3 criteria will be classified as cases (PFO+) or controls (PFO-) based on the presence or absence of a right-to-left shunt detected by transcranial Doppler or a previously documented PFO. The study will enroll 240 adult participants over 36 months. The primary objective is to determine whether genetic variants differ significantly between patients with MA with and without PFO. Secondary objectives include assessing cerebral blood flow regulation and platelet function in patients with MA with and without PFO. Participants will undergo a single study visit including the collection of demographic and clinical data and a comprehensive neurosonological assessment. This will include microembolic signal counts, cerebrovascular reactivity testing, and a contrast-enhanced transcranial Doppler study for shunt detection. Blood samples will be collected for whole-exome sequencing (with a focus on NOTCH3 and an expanded gene panel) and for platelet aggregometry. The study is expected to provide new insights into the biological mechanisms linking PFO and MA-potentially involving endothelial dysfunction, altered vascular smooth muscle responses, or platelet activation-thereby informing prevention strategies and guiding future research.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• Diagnosis of migraine with aura (according to Chapter 1.2 of the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition \[ICHD-3\])

• Age ≥ 18 years

• Both sexes

• Obtained written informed consent to participate in the study

Locations
Other Locations
Italy
IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna - AUSL of Bologna
RECRUITING
Bologna
Contact Information
Primary
Matteo Paolucci
matteo.paolucci@ausl.bologna.it
+390513172087
Backup
Andrea Zini
a.zini@ausl.bologna.it
+390516478810
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-11-24
Estimated Completion Date: 2028-11
Participants
Target number of participants: 240
Treatments
Arm 1
Patients with migraine with aura who have a patent foramen ovale (MAPFO+)
Arm 2
Patients with migraine with aura without patent foramen ovale (MAPFO-)
Sponsors
Leads: Azienda Usl di Bologna

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov