Video 4. Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction

Its meant as a visual approximation - i.e., a chemical reaction that also propagates at the speed of spreading depression. This similar speed suggests the reaction begins to "model" the spread of spreading depression.

Is this just meant to be a visual approximation of the spreading depression, or are these chemicals actually present in the brain?

Does this chemical reaction actually occur in the brain, or is it just one of those unexplained coincidences, like the way that Fibonacci sequences can describe the uncurling of a fern, the spiral of a nautilus shell, and the arrangement of seeds in a sunflower?

This chemical reaction doesn't occur in the brain (i.e., one using the chemical used to create the video). However, I beleive similar, slowly propagating reactions occur that are the basis for the 'spread' of spreading depression.

Good question. I believe spreading depression is a most likely mechanism to explain how the brain generates migraine pain as well as migraine aura.

Nice imagery of the belousov zhabotinsky algorithm, but since migraine is a vascular issue, I don't see how this relates to migraine? I mean, I don't see the relation with increased "brain" activity since to my knowledge it has nothing to do with that. Do I miss something here? or do you know something I don't?

Important point. Migraine FIRST is a neural issue - since the brain fires a spreading depression and, as a result, pain fibers at the surface "skin of he brain" are activated and this process evokes the pain and vascular change. --An issue of "chicken and egg." See Figure in KNOL. Hope that helps.

Can migraine happen without the spreading depression? If not, how is the situation in common migraine, where people have the headache and the other associated symptoms (nausea, photophobia, phonophobia) without having the visual aura?

Many thanks.

beautiful, thank you

You're welcome. I am delighted you've enjoyed the video. It is an amazing reaction.