Migraines have been considered a benign disorder without
long-term consequences until a recent study proved otherwise. Migraines can permanently alter the brain
structure in multiple ways such as increasing the risk of brain lesions, white
matter abnormalities and altered brain volume compared to people without the disorder,
even stronger in those that have migraine with aura. A meta-analysis study consisted of 6
population based studies and 13 clinic-based studies to test if migraine with
aura had increased risk of silent abnormalities, brain lesions or brain volume
changes on MRI brain scans. Results
showed migraine with aura increased risk of white matter brain lesions by 68%
and migraine with no aura 34% increase to those that don’t suffer from
migraines. Migraines affect about
10-15% of the general population.
Hopefully through more study research can clarify the association of
brain structure changes to attack frequency and length of the disease.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130828172644.htm
https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/1204
