Migraine and white matter hyperintensities: the ARIC MRI study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroimaging
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Migraine is a common neurological disorder.
• White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are frequently observed in neuroimaging studies.
• The relationship between migraine and WMH progression is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between migraine and WMH cross-sectionally.
• To determine if migraine influences the progression of WMH over time.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities cohort study (n=10,924).
• Assessed headache history via questionnaire and performed serial MRIs on a subset (n=1,028) over 8-12 years.
• Quantified WMH using visual grading and volumetric analysis, with adjustments for vascular risk factors.

Main Results:

• Migraine without aura was associated with higher odds of significant WMH burden cross-sectionally (aOR=1.87).
• Participants with migraine had greater baseline WMH volume (2.65 cm³ more).
• No significant difference in WMH progression was observed between migraineurs and non-migraineurs over the study period.

Conclusions:

• Migraine is associated with WMH volume at a single time point.
• Migraine does not appear to accelerate WMH progression in older adults.
• The observed association may reflect earlier life changes or be stable over time.