Comparison of the relationship between the volume of default mode network (DMN) structures and the 2D:4D finger ratio in women diagnosed with migraine

EVALUATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE VOLUME OF DEFAULT MODE NETWORK (DMN) STRUCTURES AND THE 2D:4D FINGER RATIO IN WOMEN DIAGNOSED WITH MIGRAINE The study was conducted to investigate the relationship between volumetric assessment of brain default mode network anatomical structures and 2D:4D finger ratios, testosterone and estrogen hormone levels in women diagnosed with migraine. The study included 33 patients aged 18-50 years with migraine and 26 healthy female participants between the ages of 18-50 years who were admitted to Balıkesir University Health Practice and Research Hospital Neurology Outpatient Clinic between November 2022 and June 2024. Three-dimensional, T1-weighted brain magnetic resonance images of the participants were retrospectively evaluated and the volumes of the structures belonging to the default mode network were analyzed using volBrain software. Finger length measurements were measured with a digital caliper sensitive to 0.01 mm and recorded. Blood samples were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS). In the study, blood estrogen and testosterone hormone levels were significantly lower in the migraine group compared to the control group (p<0.05). In addition, both hand 2D:4D finger ratio of the participants in the migraine group was lower than in the control group and showed masculine type finger characteristics (p<0.01). In our study, the volume of the left polus frontalis and right gyrus supramarginalis was significantly reduced in migraine patients compared to the control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, the low (masculine type) 2D:4D finger ratio has been recognized as a biomarker in many neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. This low ratio in migraine patients and the volumetric changes in the brain's putative mode network structures may provide clinical benefits in terms of disease diagnosis and therapeutic approach. Keywords : 2D:4D, dmn, migraine, estrogen, testosterone.