Having migraines does not lead to brain damage with age

If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from migraines, you might be worried about the long-term effects on your brain. Recent studies have suggested that people with migraines might be at higher risk for structural brain changes, such as damage to small vessels in the brain and shrinkage of the brain or brain atrophy.

A recent study published in Cephalalgia by Dutch researchers examined the connection between migraines and brain health in over 4,900 middle-aged and elderly people. The researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study the brains of the participants and assess any structural changes.

The study found that people with migraines were not any more likely to have structural brain changes than those without migraines. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of:

• Total brain volume

• Grey matter volume

• White matter volume

• White matter hyperintensity volume (a marker for small vessel disease)

• Presence of lacunes (tiny holes in the brain)

• Presence of cerebral microbleeds (small bleeds in the brain)

This study suggests that having migraines may not increase your risk of developing structural brain changes as you age. This is reassuring news for people who suffer from migraines and are concerned about the long-term effects on their brain health.