Lyon College professor and students collaborate on migraine study

Above: Dr. Mayron Faria, assistant professor of exercise science at Lyon College / Image provided by Lyon College

New research co-led by a Lyon College professor is shedding light on how migraines affect brain activity and automatic body functions. The study could pave the way for more comprehensive treatment strategies.

According to a news release, Dr. Mayron Faria, an assistant professor of exercise science at Lyon College, is a principal investigator on the study published in Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria, a peer-reviewed medical journal covering neurology and psychiatry. The research, a collaboration with the University of Fortaleza in Brazil and VO2 Care, compared untreated migraine patients with healthy individuals.

The study examined neurological and cardiovascular changes, as well as their potential long-term health implications. It examined various aspects of brain function in migraine patients, including cognitive abilities, reaction time, and brain activity during tasks. The findings revealed notable differences between migraine sufferers and healthy individuals, highlighting the broader impact of migraines beyond just pain.

Following the initial research, a follow-up study was conducted at Lyon College. A team of undergraduate exercise science students led this project and presented their findings at the 67th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Headache Society in Minneapolis in June.

Faria emphasized the value of this experience for students. “This opportunity allowed students to engage in high-level research and present their work at a prestigious national conference, enhancing their academic experience and professional portfolios,” Faria said.

Faria also underscored the wider significance of the studies, noting, “Both of our studies highlight that cognitive impairments in migraine patients may not always be evident in traditional tests, but underlying brain activity and autonomic regulation are distinctly altered. This insight could inform future treatment strategies beyond pain management.”

Lyon College alumna Juliana Novakovic, a key contributor to the research, shared her personal and professional growth from the experience. “Doing research with Dr. Faria has helped me in many ways, from applying to jobs to preparing for graduate school,” Novakovic said. “Having the connection to the real world really helped me solidify that this is where I want to be. By conducting research and asking questions, we can make a real difference. Our research helped others see that not only the brain is affected by a migraine, but the body, too. It gave us hope that more research on how migraines affect the body might one day help someone out there.”

Dr. Faria and his team hope the research will lead to more effective treatments for migraine sufferers.