title: Migraine and left-handedness: is there a connection?
abstract: In 1982, Geschwind and Behan reported an association between migraine headache and left-handedness. The present study was an attempt to test this hypothesis by comparing the frequency of left-handedness in migraine and tension headache patients at a headache center. Cluster headache cases were also included because Geschwind and Behan suspected that the association might be even stronger in this disorder. A special scoring method for handedness was devised by Geschwind and Behan to help identify a possible higher risk in mixed-handedness subjects. No significant associations emerged in any of these tests. A modest association of cluster headache and left-handedness disappeared when adjustment was made for the strong predilection of cluster headache for the male sex.
authors.affiliation: Headache Research Foundation, Faulkner Hospital, Boston, MA 02130.
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Messinger
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Messinger
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*