With each study that shows a possible connection between Migraine and brain lesions, the evidence mounts that Migraine may indeed cause brain damage. To date, these lesions seem to be subclinical, which means that they cause no symptoms.

Anecdotally, I often hear from Migraineurs who are having memory and other cognitive problems. I'm often asked if Migraine can cause permanent loss of memory, problems with concentration, and other problems. The does lead one to wonder if Migraines are damaging our brains in some way.

Until we have definite answers to the question of possible brain damage from Migraine disease, it certainly cannot hurt to do a couple of things:

• We can educate ourselves about Migraine and work with our doctors toward the best treatment regimen possible, including Migraine prevention.
• We can work with our doctors to live as health a lifestyle as possible. As Dr. Sher said, "reduce modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, hypertension, obesity and hypercholesterolemia."

Especially when we consider that these actions would bring us better health and a higher quality of life, there's no reason not to take these actions now rather than waiting for research to tell us whether Migraines cause true brain damage or not.

Putting this in perspective -- This research is not a reason for panic. It IS a reason for beginning or continuing to work with our doctors on both good Migraine management and a healthy lifestyle.

* An infarct is an area of necrosis (death of living tissue) resulting from obstruction of blood flow.

** This study was funded by the National Institute on Aging, the Icelandic Heart Association and the Icelandic Parliament. Components of the study were also supported by the National Eye Institute, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and the Migraine Research Foundation.

____________
Sources:

¹ Ann I. Scher; Larus S. Gudmundsson; Sigurdur Sigurdsson; et al. "Migraine Headache in Middle Age and Late-Life Brain Infarcts." JAMA. 2009;301(24):2563-2570 (doi:10.1001/jama.2009.932)

² Interview with Ann I Scher. Teri Robert. June 25, 2009.

³ News Release. "Migraines with Aura in Middle Age Associated with Late-Life Brain Lesions." NIH News. June 23, 2009.

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© Teri Robert, 2009. Last updated January 29, 2009.