Migraine and cognitive function

Abstract

Abstract-Objective:To investigate the association between migraine and cognitive ability among members of a longitudinal birth cohort study. Methods: Headache status was determined at age 26 (migraine, tension-type headache [TTH], headache-free control subjects) according to International Headache Society criteria, and data relating to cognitive and academic performance from ages 3 to 26 years were analyzed. Results: Study members diagnosed with migraine were subtly but significantly impaired, compared with those with TTH and headache-free control subjects, on tests of verbal ability (especially language reception) from ages 3 to 13, independent of headache history. Performance on other tasks, including reading, arithmetic, motor, and spatial ability, was normal. The association between migraine and verbal functioning also appeared to impact on later academic success. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the poorer verbal performance was unlikely to have resulted from cumulative attacks and may be due to developmental factors beginning in utero.

Insidious Cognitive Decline in CADASIL

“…17,26 However, none of our subjects had depression according to clinical evaluation at the time of the neuropsychological investigation. Although there is some evidence of cognitive impairment in persons with life-long migraine, 27,28 in our patients, history of migraine or mood change did not significantly associate with cognitive performance. There was also an overrepresentation of men among our subjects (approximately two thirds), which deviates from that generally seen in CADASIL.…”

Childhood onset of migraine, gender, parental social class, and trait neuroticism as predictors of the prevalence of migraine in adulthood

“…However, the inverse relationship between migraine and socioeconomic status has not been confirmed in studies outside the United States (Launer, Terwindt, Ferrari, 1999;O'Brien, Goeree, Streiner, 1994;Rasmussen, 1992;Waldie et al, 2002), in these studies no difference in migraine prevalence by socioeconomic status was found. Nevertheless, the links between social class and health outcomes have well been demonstrated in the literature (Wilkinson & Marmot, 2003;Wilkinson & Pickett, 2006).…”

Migraine and cognition in children: a controlled study

“…In an important, longitudinal study, Waldie et al 18 found impaired verbal skills in a migraine group when compared to a control group, more evident between 3-to-13-year-old migrainer children.…”