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Updated: Jan 10, 2026
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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
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Is migraine in the elderly a distinct entity? A comparative cross-sectional study
Neerupaka Venkatachalam1, Pooja Mailankody1, Seshagiri Dv1
1Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560029 Karnataka, India.
Summary
Migraine in the elderly is more frequent but less severe and disabling than in younger adults. However, older individuals experience higher rates of medication overuse headache, depression, and poor sleep quality.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Migraine characteristics, disability, and comorbidities in the elderly are not well-defined.
- A comparative analysis between elderly and young migraine patients is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate headache characteristics, treatment, disability, and comorbidities in elderly migraine patients.
- To compare these factors with those in younger migraine patients.
Main Methods:
- A comparative cross-sectional study of 154 migraine patients (81 elderly, 73 young).
- Assessment of headache features, disability (Migraine Disability Assessment Questionnaire), severity (Visual Analogue Scale), anxiety, depression, and sleep quality.
Main Results:
- Elderly migraine patients had less throbbing, more holocranial, more frequent, less severe, and less disabling headaches.
- Higher prevalence of medication overuse headache, depression, and poor sleep quality was observed in the elderly group.
Conclusions:
- Migraine in the elderly presents as less severe and disabling despite being more frequent.
- Increased prevalence of medication overuse headache, depression, and poor sleep quality in elderly migraineurs suggests a distinct disease entity.
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