Haigh SM, et al. - Given an increased sensitivity of individuals with migraine to visual input that continues beyond their migraine episodes, researchers examined how color contributes to visual sensitivity, and how it relates to neural activity in these individuals. Pairs of colored horizontal grating patterns that varied in chromaticity separation were shown to 17 individuals with migraine (12 with aura) and 18 headache-free controls. Either blue-green, red-green, or red-blue color pairs were shown to participants. Rating of the discomfort of the gratings was assessed and simultaneous recording of electroencephalogram was performed among the participants. They observed heightened discomfort ratings and larger N1/N2 event-related potentials with greater chromaticity separation in both groups, which was consistent with increased cortical excitability. Findings suggest that neural excitation rises with greater chromaticity separation and that in migraine, this effect is elevated, consistent with the theory that hyperexcitability of the visual system is a key indication of migraine.