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Updated: Apr 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

18.9K

[Migraine and stroke]

Yasuhisa Kitagawa1

  • 1Department of Neurology Tokai University Hachioji Hospital.

Rinsho Shinkeigaku = Clinical Neurology
|February 13, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Migraine with aura slightly increases ischemic stroke risk, but this risk is low compared to traditional factors. Lifestyle changes like avoiding oral contraceptives and quitting smoking can mitigate this risk in younger patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Vascular Neurology
  • Epidemiology

Context:

  • Migraine is a common neurological disorder with a complex relationship to ischemic stroke.
  • Previous studies suggest an increased risk of ischemic stroke in migraine patients, particularly those with aura.

Purpose:

  • To review the literature on migraine and ischemic stroke.
  • To compare findings with existing European MRI studies.
  • To investigate the incidence and characteristics of migrainous stroke.

Summary:

  • The incidence of migrainous stroke is low. A European study found a two-fold increased risk of ischemic stroke in migraine with aura patients, with lesions predominantly in the posterior circulation.
  • Risk factors like oral contraceptive use and smoking significantly increase stroke risk in younger migraine with aura patients.
  • Migraine is a lower risk factor than hypertension, diabetes, or atrial fibrillation. This study's findings on lesion location (anterior circulation) contrast with the European study, possibly due to reversible vasoconstriction syndrome.

Impact:

  • Highlights migraine as a relatively low risk factor for ischemic stroke compared to traditional vascular risk factors.
  • Identifies specific patient groups (migraine with aura, younger age, oral contraceptive use, smoking) at higher risk.
  • Suggests potential etiological differences in white matter lesions among migraine patients, warranting further investigation into conditions like reversible vasoconstriction syndrome.

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