Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 11, 2025
10:39
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
18.5K
Headache - A Window to Dementia: An Unexpected Twist
Shayka Sharif1, Amber Saleem2, Evgenia Koumadoraki3
1Internal Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA.
Cureus
|March 24, 2021
Summary
Headaches, including migraine, are linked to cognitive dysfunction and dementia. Certain headache treatments may also increase dementia risk, necessitating careful patient management.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gerontology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Headaches, particularly migraine, share symptoms with dementia, characterized by memory loss and cognitive decline.
- The relationship between headache disorders and dementia is complex and multifactorial, warranting further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the existing literature on the association between headache and cognitive dysfunction.
- To explore how common headache treatments might contribute to dementia development.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed.
- Included studies focused on the association between various headache types and dementia.
- A total of 28 studies were reviewed, excluding those on stroke or vascular disease as primary factors.
Main Results:
- All reviewed studies indicated a correlation between headache and cognitive dysfunction.
- Headache frequency and duration were identified as potential determinants for dementia risk.
- Some studies suggested a link between specific headache medications and increased dementia risk.
Conclusions:
- Headaches and their treatments are potentially associated with dementia.
- The potential risks of headache treatments must be weighed against their benefits.
- Further research is needed to clarify discordant findings and establish optimal headache management protocols.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Dementia
279
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....
279
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
1.0K
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...
1.0K
01:13Amnesia
277
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...
277
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
539
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
539
01:24Prosopagnosia
507
Prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness, is the inability to recognize faces. In severe cases, individuals with prosopagnosia may not recognize close family members, including parents and spouses, by their faces. For instance, someone with prosopagnosia might walk past their child in a crowd, only realizing their mistake upon noticing their child's distinctive backpack or favorite jacket. Prosopagnosia specifically impairs facial recognition, while the recognition of other objects or...
507
01:30Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
182
Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
182