Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Migraine and structural changes in the brain: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Asma Bashir1, Richard B Lipton, Sait Ashina
1From the Danish Headache Center and Department of Neurology (A.B., M.A.), Glostrup Hospital, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Copenhagen, Denmark; Montefiore Headache Center (R.B.L.), Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx; and Headache Program (S.A.), Department of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care, Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY.
Objective:
To evaluate the association between migraine without aura (MO) and migraine with aura (MA) and 3 types of structural brain abnormalities detected by MRI: white matter abnormalities (WMAs), infarct-like lesions (ILLs), and volumetric changes in gray and white matter (GM, WM) regions.
Methods:
PubMed as well as the reference lists of identified studies and reviews were used to identify potentially eligible studies through January 2013. Candidate studies were reviewed and eligible studies were abstracted. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for WMAs and ILLs.
Results:
Six population-based and 13 clinic-based studies were identified. The studies suggested that structural brain changes, including WMAs, silent ILLs, and volumetric changes in GM and WM regions, were more common in migraineurs than in control groups. The results were strongest for MA. The meta-analysis of WMAs showed an association for MA (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.07-2.65; p = 0.03) but not for MO (OR 1.34; 95% CI 0.96-1.87; p = 0.08). The association of ILLs was greater for MA (OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.02-2.03; p = 0.04) than for MO, but no association was found for MA (p = 0.52) and MO (p = 0.08) compared to controls.
Conclusion:
These data suggest that migraine may be a risk factor for structural changes in the brain. Additional longitudinal studies are needed to determine the differential influence of migraine without and with aura, to better characterize the effects of attack frequency, and to assess longitudinal changes in brain structure and function.
Insights
Migraine, particularly migraine with aura, is linked to an increased prevalence of brain abnormalities like white matter abnormalities and silent infarcts. Further research is needed to understand migraine
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Migraine is a common neurological disorder.
- Structural brain changes are increasingly recognized in migraineurs.
- Differentiating between migraine with aura (MA) and migraine without aura (MO) is crucial for understanding underlying pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between migraine subtypes (MO and MA) and specific structural brain abnormalities detected by MRI.
- To evaluate white matter abnormalities (WMAs), infarct-like lesions (ILLs), and volumetric changes in gray and white matter regions.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed and reference lists up to January 2013.
- Eligible studies were reviewed, and data were abstracted.
- Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for WMAs and ILLs.
Main Results:
- Structural brain changes were more frequent in migraineurs compared to controls, particularly in MA.
- A significant association was found between MA and WMAs (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.07-2.65).
- ILLs showed a greater association with MA (OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.02-2.03) than MO, though not statistically significant for MO.
Conclusions:
- Migraine may be a risk factor for developing structural brain changes.
- Longitudinal studies are necessary to clarify the differential impact of MO vs. MA.
- Further research should explore attack frequency and longitudinal changes in brain structure and function.
