Association between migraine and risk of dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Аннотация

Migraines, a prevalent neurological disorder, COPYRIGHT © 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms are increasingly linked to an elevated risk of dementia, of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License. including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD). This systematic review and meta-analysis examined 12 cohort studies with 465,358 participants to assess this association. The results showed a significant relationship between migraines and dementia risk (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.21–1.50), particularly chronic migraines (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.44–1.52). Women, younger individuals, and those with a family history of dementia were at higher risk. Shared vascular risk factors, neurovascular dysfunction, and hormonal influences are potential mechanisms underlying this link. Chronic migraine may act as an early marker for cognitive decline, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and vascular risk management in at-risk individuals. Further research is essential to explore causal pathways and prevention strategies to reduce dementia risk in migraine patients. Keywords: Chronic migraines, neurological disorder. Introduction: Headache disorders, including migraines, are among the most prevalent neurological conditions globally, affecting a significant portion of the population. Headache and dementia are both prevalent neurological conditions that significantly contribute to The American Journal of Medical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Research 89 https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajmspr The American Journal of Medical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Research daily dysfunction and reduced quality of life [1]. neurological disorder among the elderly, has been Headache disorders are even more widespread, shown to have a prevalence of 6.0%, with 3.9% of cases affecting up to 46% of the adult population, making it being Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 1.6% vascular dementia the fifth leading cause of disability worldwide. While (VD), and 0.5% other forms of dementia. Due to its headache prevalence decreases significantly in adults progressive nature, dementia is typically characterized over the age of 50, it remains a common complaint by memory impairment, executive dysfunction, and among the elderly. Tension-type headache (TTH), the behavioral disinhibition. The public health burden of most frequent type of primary headache, is typically dementia is expected to rise dramatically, with the characterized by bilateral, non-throbbing mild to number of patients projected to double every 20 years, moderate pain. With a lifetime prevalence as high as reaching 65.7 million by 2030 as the population ages 78%, it represents a significant health burden despite According to the Centers for Disease Control and its relatively lower intensity compared to migraines. Prevention (CDC), in 2014, it was estimated that five Migraines, on the other hand, are more complex, million adults aged 65 and older were living with presenting as recurrent attacks of moderate to severe, dementia in the United States. This number is projected pulsating, unilateral head pain, often accompanied by to nearly triple to almost 14 million by 2060, presenting nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia. The a significant public health challenge as the population prevalence of migraines is approximately 16% in ages [15]. As dementia, especially AD and VaD, becomes individuals aged 45–64 years, with a noticeable decline more prevalent, understanding the potential risk factors as people age. Migraines are chronic, debilitating associated with these conditions is becoming conditions typically characterized by episodic or increasingly important [16]. In patients with migraines, chronic headaches, which can severely impact an structural brain changes such as reduced grey matter, individual's quality of life [2-4]. Traditionally, migraines white matter hyperintensities on MRI, and brain have been associated with various vascular risk factors, parenchymal defects have been observed, highlighting such as hypertension, stroke, and cardiovascular potential long-term impacts on brain health. These diseases [5]. However, emerging evidence suggests findings raise the possibility that migraine disorders, that migraines may also play a significant role in the especially chronic or severe forms, may be associated development of cognitive decline and with increased risks of cognitive decline and dementia neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s in later life. disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) [6-8]. METHODS Recent studies have shown that migraines, particularly The study aimed to investigate the association between chronic and severe forms, are associated with a range migraine and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease of neurological abnormalities that may contribute to (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD), in human subjects. cognitive impairment [9]. These include reduced Two reviewers independently conducted a manual cerebral bl