The functional alterations in primary migraine A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Introduction: Accumulating neuroimaging studies have found abnormal cerebral activity in migraine patients. However, the findings of studies exist many differences. Hence, this protocol aims to investigate concurrence across the neuroimaging studies to verify the functional cerebral alterations based on the latest evidence. Methods and analysis: Functional neuroimaging studies comparing migraineur with healthy subjects will be searched in the 4 online databases (EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Web of Science) up to June 2019. The selection of studies, quality assessment, and data extraction will be conducted by 2 independent researchers. The Anisotropic effect size version of signed differential mapping (AES-SDM) methods will be used to conduct a coordinate-based meta-analysis. The bias of publication will be confirmed via the P value of Egger test. The quality of studies will be evaluated by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42019129043. Results: This study will deepen the understanding of functional cerebral alterations of migraine. Conclusion: The study will provide clear conclusion of the functional cerebral alterations based on the latest evidence.