Migraine with interparoxysmal sharp complexes in the EEG: clinical features and response to anticonvulsant drugs

The clinical profile and therapeutic response of 25 patients with migrainous headaches with interparoxysmal electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities in the form of sharp complexes are discussed. The clinical features of these patients consisted of male preponderance, early age of onset in males, long history of illness in females, very low incidence of aura and family history of migraine, frequent severe paroxysms, poor response to routine anti-migraine drugs and good response to anti-convulsant drugs. It is speculated that the EEG abnormalities in migraine may have a congenital basis which finds expression in vasomotor instability through hypothalamus and autonomic nervous system.