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Does Persistent Migraine Result In Dementia?

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Posted on Tue, 19 Sep 2017
Question: is there a connection between migrane headaches and dementia ??
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Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
There is a possibility but mechanism is unknown

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to HealthcareMagic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible.

Based on the query you have shared, yes theoretically it's possible and some studies also suggested a relation but not enough data to provide significant results.

Keeping in view the exact mechanism of migraine to be unknown but it is thought that it is linked with vasospasm of brain vasculature or decreased blood supply and one possible factor is that with such a persistant decreased blood supply to an area of brain may lead to gradual death of neurons in that area though it occurs on micro levels and not as significant as in cases of strokes or large vessels blockage so doesnt exhibit such acutely.

Also higher blood pressures due to such migraine episodes or sympathetic nervous system over stimulation may lead to long term vascular changes like menifestations of hypertension leading to micro infarct leading to multi infarct dementia.

So yes their can be a link, but it's better to keep migraine attacks in control with beta blockers or triptans group of drugs for prohylaxis and treatment of such attacks in time.

Hope this has answered your query, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 3941 Questions

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Does Persistent Migraine Result In Dementia?

Brief Answer: There is a possibility but mechanism is unknown Detailed Answer: Hi! Welcome to HealthcareMagic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible. Based on the query you have shared, yes theoretically it's possible and some studies also suggested a relation but not enough data to provide significant results. Keeping in view the exact mechanism of migraine to be unknown but it is thought that it is linked with vasospasm of brain vasculature or decreased blood supply and one possible factor is that with such a persistant decreased blood supply to an area of brain may lead to gradual death of neurons in that area though it occurs on micro levels and not as significant as in cases of strokes or large vessels blockage so doesnt exhibit such acutely. Also higher blood pressures due to such migraine episodes or sympathetic nervous system over stimulation may lead to long term vascular changes like menifestations of hypertension leading to micro infarct leading to multi infarct dementia. So yes their can be a link, but it's better to keep migraine attacks in control with beta blockers or triptans group of drugs for prohylaxis and treatment of such attacks in time. Hope this has answered your query, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.