Headache and cognitive profile in children: a cross-sectional controlled study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pediatrics
• Psychology

Background:

• Headaches, including migraine without aura and tension-type headache, are common in children.
• Previous research has not fully elucidated the cognitive profiles associated with these conditions in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the intellectual functioning and cognitive profiles of children diagnosed with tension-type headache or migraine without aura.
• To compare the cognitive abilities of children with headaches to a healthy control group.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 82 children (63 with migraine without aura, 19 with tension-type headache) and a matched healthy control group.
• Cognitive functions were assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-revised.
• Statistical analyses were performed to compare cognitive scores and identify correlations.

Main Results:

• Children with headaches exhibited significantly lower mean total intelligence quotient (IQ) and verbal IQ scores compared to controls (p < 0.001).
• Negative correlations were observed between IQ scores (total, verbal, performance) and headache frequency.
• A positive correlation was found between total IQ and age at headache onset.

Conclusions:

• Children experiencing headaches present a distinct cognitive profile, with verbal skills being particularly affected, even within the normal range.
• Cognitive assessment should be an integral part of the initial evaluation for children presenting with headaches in neurology outpatient settings.