Cognitive Impairment in Primary and Secondary Headache Disorders

AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo critically evaluate the recent literature on cognitive impairment and headache.Recent FindingsNeurocognitive symptoms are prevalent, debilitating, and occur often with both primary and secondary headache disorders.SummaryThis is a “narrative review of the current literature in PubMed on cognitive function and headache.” Migraine is associated with cognitive impairment years before a migraine diagnosis. In young and middle-aged adults, migraine is associated with deficits in attention, executive function, processing speed, and memory. It is unlikely that migraine is associated with dementia. Although methodologically difficult to assess, there does not seem to be an association between tension-type headache and cognitive dysfunction. In early to midlife, cluster headache seems to be associated with executive dysfunct ion. Several secondary headache syndromes relevant to clinicians managing headache disorders are associated with poorer cognitive performance or distinctive cognitive patterns, including those attributed to chronic cerebral or systemic vascular disorders, trauma, and derangements of intracranial pre ssure and volume, including frontotemporal brain sagging syndrome.

Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - March 3, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research