Frequent migraines can increase your chances of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Research by Canadian scientists, published last week in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry revealed that a history of migraines could be a significant risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease and all‐cause dementia. The association of migraines with dementia also depended on the type of dementia, severity of the disease, gender, and other associated disorders. [1]
The findings were based on the Manitoba Study of Health and Aging, a cohort study on 679 participants of 65+ years. The participants who were mentally healthy at baseline were assessed for their cognitive health after 5 years. While studying the effect of migraines, the team also studied the influence of factors like gender, education, and health conditions like heart diseases and diabetes.
About a quarter of participants with Alzheimer’s disease had a history of migraines. Patients with dementia were also twice as likely to have a history of migraines when compared with cognitively intact people. Additionally, participants with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease were significantly older, and less educated than cognitively intact participants.
