Lesions caused by Migraines or other way around? Brain damage?

Question: Lesions caused by Migraines or other way around? Brain damage?

Answer:

Full Question:

I was diagnosed and have suffered with migraines since I was 20 years old. I am now 41 and they have become extremely worse over the past few years and I am experiencing migraines 2-3 times a week; it is becoming more and more difficult to work. My physician ordered an MRI and found lesions on my brain; we continue to try various treatments in hopes of reducing the number of my migraines. My questions is.... do the lesions cause my migraines or did my migraines cause the lesions? I am also wondering if there is any substantial evidence that these lesions cause brain damage? Thank you, Cyndy
 

Answer:

Dear Cyndy;

White matter lesions found on the MRIs of Migraineurs have been the source of quite a bit of recent research. At this point, it's thought that Migraine attacks cause the lesions. So far, the lesions seem to be subclinical, meaning that they cause no symptoms. Here's some information:

Is Migraine a Progressive Brain Disease?
A study and JAMA article, "Migraine as a Risk Factor for Subclinical Brain Lesions," examine the connection between Migraine disease, brain lesions, cerebral infarction (stroke), and the frequency of Migraine attacks. Some news articles have made this information sound very frightening. It's not, but it is information every Migraineur should take seriously, and keep Migraine prevention and early attack abortion seriously.

Teri Robert and John Claude Krusz

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