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Interictal and postictal cognitive changes in migraine
E J Mulder1, W H Linssen, J Passchier
1Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. EJCM.Mulder@psy.vu.nl
Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|August 17, 1999
Summary
Migraine with aura patients exhibit slower selective attention, even when symptom-free. Cognitive function in migraineurs is not worsened by attacks or medication, regardless of duration.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neurology
Background:
- Migraine is a neurological disorder often associated with cognitive symptoms.
- The impact of migraine on cognitive function, particularly in symptom-free periods, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if symptom-free migraine patients exhibit cognitive impairments compared to controls.
- To assess if migraine attacks induce transient cognitive impairments.
Main Methods:
- The Neuropsychological Evaluation System (NES2) was used to assess cognitive performance.
- Participants included 20 migraineurs without aura, 10 migraineurs with aura, and 30 controls.
- Cognitive performance was evaluated during interictal and postictal periods, with varying medication use.
Main Results:
- Migraineurs with aura showed slower selective attention compared to controls in headache-free periods.
- Migraineurs without aura performed similarly to controls during interictal testing.
- Cognitive impairments were not exacerbated by preceding migraine attacks, attack duration, or medication type.
Conclusions:
- Migraine with aura is associated with persistent deficits in selective attention, even between attacks.
- Migraine attacks and their treatment do not appear to worsen cognitive function.
- Selective attention deficits may be a trait marker in migraine with aura.