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Updated: Mar 17, 2026
A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes
Published on: December 8, 2014
Is Migraine Headache Associated With Concussion in Athletes? A Case-Control Study
James T Eckner1, Tad Seifert, Allison Pescovitz
1*Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; †Michigan NeuroSport, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; ‡Department of Neurology, Norton Healthcare, Louisville, Kentucky; §Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky; and ¶Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. A. Pescovitz is now with Department of General Surgery, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York; M. Zeiger is now with Division of Pediatric Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, California; and J. S. Kutcher is now with The Sports Neurology Clinic, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Athletes with concussions have a higher likelihood of a prior migraine headache history. Migraine headaches may influence concussion care, though causality remains undetermined.
Area of Science:
- Sports Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Concussion is a common sports injury.
- Migraine headaches are prevalent in the general population and may share underlying mechanisms with concussion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between a history of migraine headache and concussion in athletes.
- To determine if migraine headache is a risk factor or modifying factor in concussed athletes.
Main Methods:
- A case-control observational study was conducted.
- 221 athletes (115 concussion cases, 106 orthopedic controls) aged 12-24 years were included.
- Participants completed a questionnaire on demographics, concussion history, and migraine history.
Main Results:
- A significant positive association was found between concussion and a history of migraine headache (adjusted OR, 1.90; P = 0.039).
- This association lost statistical significance when previous concussion history was included in the model (adjusted OR, 1.68; P = 0.107).
Conclusions:
- The study suggests an association between migraine headache and concussion in athletes.
- The cause-effect relationship is unclear, but migraine headache may be a modifying factor in concussion management.
