Migraine

A migraine is a severe headache causing pain in the front or side of the head. In the UK, migraines affect about 15% of the population and the headaches are three times more common among women than men. Migraines usually first start in young adulthood but it is possible for the headaches to start later in life.

What are Migraines?

Migraine is a severe form of headache felt as a throbbing pain at the front or side of the head. Migraines may also be accompanied by other symptoms such as a sensitivity to light or nausea.

Migraine Symptoms

Common Migraine Triggers

Migraine Treatments

Migraine History

Does Exercise Help or Worsen Migraines?

Can Contact Lenses Cause Headaches?

Migraine and the Heart

Is There a Link Between Migraine and the Gut Microbiome?

Migraine with Aura vs. Migraine without Aura

Differences Between an Aneurysm and Migraine

What are Disease Modifying Migraine Drugs (DMMDs)?

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Can Meditation Help Migraines?

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Migraine research

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Body Posture and Migraines

Migraine Diagnosis

Economic Impact of Migraines

Migraine is Just like Asthma. No, Really.

Migraine Pathophysiology

Do Migraines Increase Risk of Stroke?

Migraines and Dementia

Latest Migraine News and Research

Adolescents who experience migraines more likely to have high blood pressure

A nationwide study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has found that adolescents who experience migraines are three times more likely to have high blood pressure.

6 Nov 2025

Bleeding strokes strike earlier and harder in heavy drinkers

People who drink heavily may have bleeding strokes a decade earlier than people who are not heavy drinkers, according to a study published November 5, 2025, in Neurology®, an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

5 Nov 2025

Heart attack in older adults linked to higher risk of late-onset epilepsy

Older adults who have a heart attack may be more likely to develop epilepsy later in life, according to a study published November 5, 2025 in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

5 Nov 2025

Veterans with post-traumatic brain injury epilepsy more likely to have higher mortality rates

Military veterans who develop epilepsy after a traumatic brain injury may have a higher mortality rate in the following years than veterans who develop epilepsy with no previous traumatic brain injury, according to a study published on October 29, 2025, in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

30 Oct 2025

New study sheds light on vision loss in idiopathic intracranial hypertension

If untreated, a disorder of high brain pressure called idiopathic intracranial hypertension can lead to vision loss. But this disorder can develop without noticeable symptoms, making it hard to catch.

30 Oct 2025

Researchers identify nervous system components driving gastrointestinal cancer growth

Australian researchers have identified two nervous system components that drive tumor growth in gastrointestinal cancers, creating promising new avenues for treatment with existing approved therapies.

24 Oct 2025

People with both cavities and gum disease may face higher ischemic stroke risk

People with both cavities and gum disease may face a higher risk of ischemic stroke, according to a study published on October 22, 2025, in Neurology Open Access, an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

23 Oct 2025

Study shows link between gum disease and white matter hyperintensities

Adults with gum disease may be more likely to have signs of damage to the brain's white matter, called white matter hyperintensities, than people without gum disease, according to a new study published on October 22, 2025, in Neurology Open Access, an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

23 Oct 2025

Botulinum toxin injections could be a powerful tool for treating post-amputation pain

Botulinum toxin injections provided greater short-term relief for phantom limb pain than standard medical and surgical care among Ukrainian war amputees, reports a new study led by Northwestern Medicine and Ukrainian physicians.

21 Oct 2025

Smartphone app for muscle relaxation reduces migraine disability in ED patients

A smartphone app for muscle relaxation significantly reduced migraine-related disability in patients visiting the emergency department, a new study shows.

16 Oct 2025

WHO's new Global status report highlights the growing burden of neurological disorders

The World Health Organization (WHO) today warns that less than one in three countries around the world has a national policy to address the growing burden of neurological disorders, responsible for over 11 million deaths globally each year.

14 Oct 2025

Common painkiller and antidepressant combo may increase seizure risk in older adults

When older adults living in nursing homes are prescribed the pain medicine tramadol alongside certain antidepressants, their risk of seizures may go up, according to a study published October 8, 2025, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

8 Oct 2025

Long-term exposure to industrial solvent associated with elevated Parkinson's disease risk

Long-term exposure to the industrial solvent trichloroethylene (TCE) outdoors may be linked to an increased risk of Parkinson's disease, according to a large nationwide study published in the October 1, 2025, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

2 Oct 2025

Discovery of EP2 receptor opens path to pain relief without blocking inflammation

Scientists at the NYU Pain Research Center have identified which receptor in prostaglandins-the hormone-like substance targeted by common painkillers-causes pain but not inflammation.

25 Sep 2025

Skin-to-skin care linked to stronger brain development in preterm infants

Preterm infants born before 32 weeks who received more skin-to-skin contact while in the hospital showed stronger brain development in areas tied to emotion and stress regulation than babies who received less skin-to-skin care, according to a study published in the September 24, 2025, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

24 Sep 2025

Cognitive challenges rise sharply among younger adults in the U.S.

A growing number of U.S. adults-particularly those under 40-are reporting serious challenges with memory, concentration and decision-making, according to a new study published in the September 24, 2025, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

24 Sep 2025

New research links postictal symptoms in epilepsy to hidden brain waves

In everyday clinical practice, symptoms are regularly observed after epileptic seizures, known as "post-ictal symptoms", which, in contrast to the usually short duration of seizures, typically last several minutes to hours. Besides symptoms such as impaired speech and language comprehension, a state of disorientation may occur.

19 Sep 2025

Researchers identify seizure-associated depolarization as cause of post-ictal symptoms

People with temporal lobe epilepsy in particular often wander around aimlessly and unconsciously after a seizure. Researchers at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB), the University of Bonn, and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) have identified a neurobiological mechanism that could be responsible for this so-called post-ictal wandering and potentially other postictal symptoms.

18 Sep 2025

Frequent soccer heading linked to alterations within the folds of the brain

In amateur soccer players, more frequent heading, or using the head to control or pass the ball, is linked to alterations within the folds of the brain, according to a study published on September 17, 2025, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

17 Sep 2025

Physical frailty linked to higher dementia risk

A new study suggests that physical frailty may contribute to the development of dementia. The study was published on September 17, 2025, in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

17 Sep 2025