Migraine does not affect cognitive decline: results from the Maastricht aging study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of migraine and related pharmacotherapy on cognitive performance and cognitive change over time in a longitudinal population-based study.


METHODS
Migraineurs (n = 99) and healthy controls (n = 1724) participating in the Maastricht Aging Study were cognitively tested at baseline and after 6 years. Scores on Mini Mental State Examination, immediate and delayed recall tests, and tests for simple and complex speed were compared for both groups. Generalized Estimating Equations analyses were performed to test the longitudinal effects of migraines on cognition. Effects of migraine medication use were also tested.


RESULTS
Migraine headaches were found to have no effect on any of the cognitive measures. Medication use also had no effect on all cognitive measures.


CONCLUSIONS
No evidence was found that migraine headaches or migraine-related medication use are risk or protective factors for cognitive dysfunction or cognitive deterioration over time.
Baars
Maria A E
MA
From the School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Division of Brain and Cognition, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
van Boxtel
Martin P J
MP
Jolles
Jelle
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009426:Netherlands; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
D000700:Analgesics