Migraine attacks are a problem for millions of Americans each year, but the long-term impact of this sometimes debilitating condition has been unclear.
Now a new study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry suggests that migraine, the most common neurological disorder across all ages, is an important risk factor of dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease.
How migraine raises risk
Researchers asked 679 seniors, with no history of cognitive issues, about their history of migraine. Over half were women. Their average age was about 76.
After tracking them for 5 years, they found 51 of them had developed dementia.
When factors such as education and age were considered, those with Alzheimer’s disease were over four times more likely to have experienced migraine attacks.
“People with a history of migraines were three times more likely to develop a type of dementia and more than four times as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, a major cause of dementia,” Tyas said.
Rebecca Edelmayer, PhD, director of scientific engagement at the Alzheimer’s Association, says randomized clinical trials are still needed to see whether migraine treatment can decrease dementia risk.
Additionally, she points out one reason for the link to dementia is that migraine attacks may affect lifestyle decisions, like not being active or having a healthy diet, that are already known to increase dementia risk.
“More research is needed to understand if the disruption in lifestyle factors caused by migraines, such as poor sleep and disruption of healthy diet, regular exercise and cognitive/social stimulation, which are all known modifiable risk factors in addition to cardiovascular disease, may also play a role in increased dementia risk,” she said.
Read full article at https://www.healthline.com/health-news/migraine-linked-to-dementia-what-to-know
