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Updated: Oct 26, 2025

A Multimodal Imaging- and Stimulation-based Method of Evaluating Connectivity-related Brain Excitability in Patients with Epilepsy
Published on: November 13, 2016
Relationships between migraine and epilepsy: Pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical implications
1Department of Functional Neurology and Epileptology, Hospices Civils de Lyon and Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France; Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (CRNL), INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292 and Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France.
Migraine and epilepsy, though distinct, share complex links. Overlapping symptoms and co-occurrence, especially in familial hemiplegic migraine, challenge diagnosis and understanding of neurological network dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Migraine and epilepsy are distinct neurological disorders.
- Complex relationships exist between migraine and epilepsy.
- Overlapping clinical features can complicate diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review challenging clinical scenarios involving headache and epilepsy.
- To discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the interaction between migraine and epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of clinical and pathophysiological studies.
- Analysis of diagnostic challenges and co-morbid conditions.
Main Results:
- Post-ictal headache is common; ictal epileptic headache is rare but challenging.
- Migraine aura and epilepsy can present with overlapping symptoms, particularly visual disturbances.
- Co-morbidity is observed, notably in familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM).
Conclusions:
- Understanding the interplay between migraine and epilepsy is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
- Genetic insights from FHM illuminate neuronal network hyperexcitability relevant to both conditions.
- Further research into shared pathophysiological mechanisms is warranted.
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