Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
10:39
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
18.8K
Age-Related Changes in Headache Days across the Cognitive Spectrum
Karl Echiverri1, Gregory A Jicha1, Jonathan H Smith1
1Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Pain Medicine (Malden, Mass.)
|October 13, 2017
Summary
Aging is linked to fewer monthly headache days, even in individuals with cognitive impairment. This association between age and reduced headache frequency holds across different cognitive statuses.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gerontology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Previous research indicated age-related decreases in headache prevalence.
- These studies often overlooked the impact of cognitive impairment as a confounding factor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between aging and self-reported monthly headache frequency.
- To examine this association across individuals with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia.
Main Methods:
- A prospective longitudinal cohort study involving the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging.
- Participants completed a detailed headache questionnaire via annual mailings.
- Cognitive status was assessed using the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE).
Main Results:
- The study included 332 cognitively normal, 71 mild cognitive impairment, and 51 dementia participants.
- Headache prevalence was 22.8%, 25%, and 27.1% in the respective groups.
- A significant negative correlation between age and headache days was found in cognitively normal and mild cognitive impairment groups. Age was a predictor of headache days in the overall cohort.
Conclusions:
- Aging is associated with fewer headache days, independent of cognitive pathology.
- The observed decline in headache frequency with age appears consistent across the cognitive spectrum.
- Further research is needed to determine if this is due to reporting bias or has neurobiological underpinnings.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
954
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
954
01:30Dementia
594
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....
594
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
1.8K
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
1.8K
01:17Cognitivism
3.2K
Cognitive psychology emerged as a significant field in the mid-20th century. It focused on understanding humans' internal mental processes. This approach emphasizes how people perceive, remember, think, and solve problems—elements critical to human cognition.
Previously dominated by behaviorism, which prioritized observable behaviors and largely ignored mental processes, psychology transformed in the 1950s. Cognitive psychologists argue that understanding how we think and process...
Previously dominated by behaviorism, which prioritized observable behaviors and largely ignored mental processes, psychology transformed in the 1950s. Cognitive psychologists argue that understanding how we think and process...
3.2K
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
693
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the...
693
01:13Amnesia
627
Amnesia is a condition marked by long-term memory loss, which impairs the ability to recall past events or create new memories.
The severity and duration of memory loss vary depending on the type and underlying cause. Amnesia is classified into two main types: retrograde and anterograde.
Retrograde amnesia is marked by the loss of memories formed before the onset of the condition. Patients may recall distant past events but often forget those occurring shortly before the incident.
Anterograde...
The severity and duration of memory loss vary depending on the type and underlying cause. Amnesia is classified into two main types: retrograde and anterograde.
Retrograde amnesia is marked by the loss of memories formed before the onset of the condition. Patients may recall distant past events but often forget those occurring shortly before the incident.
Anterograde...
627