Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
10:39
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Migraine, headaches, and cognition
Isabel Pavão Martins1, Raquel Gil-Gouveia, Claudia Silva
1Department of Clinical Neurosciences (UNIC), Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisbon Faculty of Medicine, Portugal. isabel_martins@fm.ul.pt
Headache
|July 27, 2012
Summary
Cognitive function in older adults with headaches, including migraine and non-migraine headaches (NMH), showed some deficits in attention and memory compared to controls. Headache presence, not just migraine, may impact executive abilities.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cognitive Science
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Migraine's impact on executive functions is debated.
- Previous research has not consistently identified cognitive deficits in individuals with migraine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate inter-ictal cognitive performance in individuals with migraine and non-migraine headaches (NMH).
- To compare cognitive abilities of headache sufferers with headache-free controls in primary care settings.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional observational study involving 478 adults aged 50+.
- Neurobehavioral battery assessing executive functions, including attention and memory recognition.
- Migraine diagnosis via ID-Migraine questionnaire; statistical analysis using multiple regression.
Main Results:
- Migraine patients showed poorer performance on an attention test compared to controls.
- Non-migraine headache (NMH) participants exhibited memory recognition deficits and lower semantic memory performance.
- No significant group differences were observed in most cognitive measures.
Conclusions:
- Headaches in late adulthood are associated with impaired executive functioning.
- Cognitive impact may be linked to headache presence rather than being specific to migraine.
- Further research is needed to understand the relationship between headache types and cognitive decline.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function. They...
01:22Dementia l: Introduction
Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...
01:14Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction
Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...
01:30Dementia
Dementia is a collective term for cognitive disorders primarily affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia affects millions worldwide, particularly older adults, though it is not a normal part of aging.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
01:29Hepatic Encephalopathy
DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic shunting—including...
01:19Cerebral Edema l: Introduction
Cerebral edema is a pathological increase in brain water content that disrupts intracranial pressure regulation and impairs neurological function. Because the cranial vault is rigid, even modest increases in tissue volume can compromise cerebral perfusion, distort neural structures, and initiate secondary injury. Cerebral edema develops through four principal mechanisms: vasogenic, cytotoxic, interstitial, and ionic.Vasogenic EdemaVasogenic edema arises from disruption of the blood–brain...