Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 28, 2026
10:39
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
18.8K
Association Between Homocysteine, Vitamin B12, Folate and Migraine: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Islamia Ibrahim Ahmed Omer1, Eman A Kubbara2, Tassneem Awad Hajali1
1Department of Clinical Science, College of Medicine, Sulaiman AlRajhi University, AlBukayriah 51941, Qassim, Saudi Arabia.
Brain Sciences
|February 27, 2026
Summary
Migraine patients show higher homocysteine (Hcy) and lower vitamin B12 and folate levels. Correcting these may help prevent and treat migraine headaches.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
Background:
- Migraine is a complex neurovascular disorder.
- Its pathogenesis is potentially linked to elevated homocysteine (Hcy) and deficiencies in vitamin B12 and folate.
- Previous research on these associations remains inconclusive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and update the evidence on the association between homocysteine, vitamin B12, folate, and migraine.
- To clarify these relationships in both adult and pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library.
- Meta-analysis using R software calculated the standardized mean difference (SMD) for Hcy, vitamin B12, and folate levels in migraine cases versus controls.
- Included studies spanned from inception through December 2025.
Main Results:
- The meta-analysis of 17 studies (1549 migraine cases, 1824 controls) revealed significantly higher Hcy levels in migraine patients (SMD = 0.48).
- Stratification showed consistent trends in European studies and those using non-immunoassay methods.
- Significantly lower serum levels of vitamin B12 (SMD = -0.36) and folate (SMD = -0.25) were observed in migraine cases compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Adult and pediatric migraine sufferers exhibit elevated homocysteine and reduced vitamin B12 and folate levels.
- Checking and correcting these levels could be a valuable prophylactic and therapeutic strategy for migraine management.
- Further longitudinal studies are recommended to establish causality.
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