Unraveling the relationship between white matter lesions in MRI and migraine: a systematic review

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are commonly detected on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of migraine patients, but their clinical relevance and underlying mechanisms remain uncertain.To systematically review the relationship between WMH and migraine, focusing on prevalence, progression, and associations with clinical and demographic characteristics.We conducted a systematic review of observational studies published between 1990 and May 2025, including adult patients with migraine (with or without aura) who underwent brain MRIs with at least 1.5T scanners. Data extraction was performed by two independent reviewers, with disagreements resolved by a third. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for observational studies.A total of 25 studies were included, comprising approximately 3,600 participants, of whom 1,725 had migraine. Most participants were women and reported age means or medians typically between 30 and 60 years. Frequently, WMHs were observed in migraine patients, particularly in those with aura, longer disease duration, and higher headache frequency. No consistent association was found between WMH and comorbidities. Significant heterogeneity in imaging protocols, lesion quantification methods, and study design limited data comparability and precluded meta-analysis.Migraine patients often present with WMHs, but their clinical significance remains unclear. Future studies should employ standardized MRI protocols, volumetric lesion quantification, and consistent migraine phenotyping to clarify its pathophysiological role in migraine and potential implications for diagnosis and management.