Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 17, 2026

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
10:39

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache

Published on: June 2, 2014

Psychiatric comorbidity in the evolution from migraine to medication overuse headache

F Radat1, C Creac'h, J D Swendsen

  • 1Chronic Pain Treatment Unit, Centre Hospitalo-universitaire, Bordeaux, France. francoise.radat@chu-bordeaux.fr

Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|June 16, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Psychiatric comorbidities like mood and anxiety disorders increase the risk of migraine evolving into medication overuse headache (MOH). These conditions often precede MOH development, suggesting a significant role in its progression.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry
  • Addiction Medicine

Background:

  • Migraine is a common neurological disorder.
  • Medication overuse headache (MOH) is a frequent complication of chronic migraine.
  • The role of psychiatric comorbidities in migraine progression to MOH requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between psychiatric comorbidities and the evolution of migraine to MOH.
  • To compare the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in migraineurs (MIG) versus patients with MOH.
  • To determine the temporal relationship between psychiatric disorders and MOH development.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative study involving 41 MIG patients and 41 MOH patients.
  • Retrospective analysis of the order of disorder occurrence.
  • Calculation of odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for psychiatric comorbidities.

Main Results:

  • MOH patients exhibited significantly higher risks of mood disorders (OR=4.5), anxiety (OR=5), and non-analgesic psychoactive substance use disorders (OR=7.6) compared to MIG patients.
  • Psychiatric disorders predominantly occurred before the migraine-to-MOH transformation in the MOH group.
  • Substance-related disorders showed a potential for crossed-family transmission with MOH.

Conclusions:

  • Anxiety and depression are significant risk factors for the development of MOH from migraine.
  • MOH patients have an elevated risk of substance-related disorders, potentially linking MOH to addictive disorders.
  • Psychiatric comorbidities play a crucial role in the pathophysiology and progression of migraine to MOH.

More Related Videos

Investigating Migraine-Like Behavior Using Light Aversion in Mice05:23

Investigating Migraine-Like Behavior Using Light Aversion in Mice

Published on: August 11, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)01:27

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) serves as the primary classification system for mental health disorders, providing standardized diagnostic criteria for clinicians and researchers. First published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1952, the DSM has undergone several revisions to reflect evolving psychiatric understanding. The fifth edition, DSM-5, released in 2013, introduced key updates that expanded diagnostic categories and modified diagnostic...
Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents01:23

Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents

Atypical antidepressants, including bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), trazodone (Desyrel), and vilazodone (Viibryd), offer unique mechanisms of action. Bupropion weakly inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, aiding depression treatment and smoking cessation, with a low risk of sexual dysfunction. Mirtazapine enhances serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmission, leading to sedation, increased appetite, and weight gain. As a result, it helps treat...
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) refers to a potentially life-threatening rise in pressure inside the skull. This usually happens when there is a major change in the volume of brain tissue, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the three components inside the skull. According to the Monro-Kellie doctrine, if the volume of one component increases, the volumes of the other components must decrease to maintain normal pressure. If this does not happen, ICP rises.The process often begins with...
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Stress and Mental Health01:30

Stress and Mental Health

Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia01:27

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...