In an American study, people who suffered from migraines (with aura) in their mid-life were more likely than others to have Parkinson’s disease.
Is having migraines frequently a warning sign of Parkinson’s disease? In any case, this is the avenue that a team of American researchers from the University of Bethesda (Maryland) wants to explore who published work on the subject on September 17 in the journal. Neurology.
Migraine sufferers with aura most at risk
To reach this conclusion, these scientists followed 5,620 people aged 33 to 65 for 25 years. 3,924 had no headache, 1,028 had headache but no migraine, 238 had migraine headaches, and 430 had ophthalmic migraines (with visual disturbances). During this work, participants were required to undergo examinations to diagnose migraine and / or symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Result, 19.7% of subjects who suffered from a migraine with aura (which presents warning signs) presented parkinsonian symptoms, against 12.6% for those with migraines without aura and 7.5% for people without pain. of head.
A common problem linked to a dopamine deficit
In terms of explanation, the lead author of the study, Ann Scher, of Bethesda University in Maryland, explained that “a dysfunction in the messages related to the transmission of an important neurotransmitter, dopamine, is common to Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome, and that it has been studied as a possible cause of migraine for years. “While specifying that the risk of suffering from Parkinson’s disease remains very low, even with a history of migraine. ”
“This could explain the association between these two conditions. But we need to deepen our research, in particular to explore possible genetic causes, ”she concluded.
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