Is migraine a risk factor for the development of concussion?

Concussion, which is defined as ''a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain, induced by traumatic biomechanical forces'', 1 2 is a poorly characterised clinical syndrome. Prospectively validated features include loss of consciousness, amnesia, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, and attention deficit, 3 although none of these phenomena is mandatory. There has been a recent increase in both awareness of and interest in sports related concussion. 1 2 4 5 Trauma has also been associated with migraine. Matthews 6 identified footballer's migraine in which soccer players suffered migraine headaches after heading the ball. Typically the head injury was minor and was not associated with loss of consciousness, although confusion and impaired consciousness was more likely to be reported in children. 7 8 The congruence of symptoms in migraine and concussion may lead to confusion in diagnosing the adolescent who has suffered a head injury, reportedly leading to a possible over-diagnosis of concussion and underrecognition of trauma induced migraine. he overlap between migraine and concussion may also reflect an increased propensity in migraineurs for concussion.