Advanced brain MRI may help understand the link between migraine and multiple sclerosis
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10194_2023_Article_1645.pdf
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Author(s)
Huang, Susie Y.
Salomon, Marc
Eikermann-Haerter, Katharina
Date Issued
August 18, 2023
Publisher
Springer Milan
Citation
The Journal of Headache and Pain. 2023 Aug 18;24(1):113
Version
Final published version
Abstract
Abstract
Background
There is a clinical association between migraine and multiple sclerosis.
Main body
Migraine and MS patients share similar demographics, with the highest incidence among young, female and otherwise healthy patients. The same hormonal constellations/changes trigger disease exacerbation in both entities. Migraine prevalence is increased in MS patients, which is further enhanced by disease-modifying treatment. Clinical data show that onset of migraine typically starts years before the clinical diagnosis of MS, suggesting that there is either a unidirectional relationship with migraine predisposing to MS, and/or a “shared factor” underlying both conditions. Brain imaging studies show white matter lesions in both MS and migraine patients. Neuroinflammatory mechanisms likely play a key role, at least as a shared downstream pathway. In this review article, we provide an overview of the literature about 1) the clinical association between migraine and MS as well as 2) brain MRI studies that help us better understand the mechanistic relationship between both diseases with implications on their underlying pathophysiology.
Conclusion
Studies suggest a migraine history predisposes patients to develop MS. Advanced brain MR imaging may shed light on shared and distinct features, while helping us better understand mechanisms underlying both disease entities.
MIT Department
Harvard University--MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology
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Creative Commons Attribution
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-023-01645-7
