Migraine and stroke – why do we talk about it?

Data from observational studies suggest that migraine may be a risk factor for stroke. Furthermore, a significant association between migraine and ischemic stroke (IS) has been demonstrated in population and case-control studies. The risk of IS appears to be higher for migraine with aura than for migraine without aura. The pathogenesis is not known but several studies report some common biochemical mechanisms in the two diseases. Meta-analysis also demonstrates that subjects with migraine are at higher risk of showing white matter abnormalities on magnetic resonance images than are those without migraine.