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​Migraine Linked to Inflammation in Young Adults

​Migraine Linked to Inflammation in Young Adults

Written by Kerrie Smyres on 21st Jul 2016

Inflammation has increasingly been linked to numerous health conditions in recent years. A recent study found another link between inflammation and migraine. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a common marker of inflammation and cardiovascular and stroke risk, is elevated in the blood of young adults with migraine, according to a study presented at the American Headache Society’s scientific meeting June 9-12.

Healthcare providers questioned 9,269 young adults aged 24-32 about whether they had migraine, depression, and/or anxiety, and their blood was drawn to test levels of hsCRP. Researchers then compared the interview findings with the lab results. 1,059 (11%) of participants reported having migraine. Those with migraine had significantly higher average levels of hsCRP than those without migraine did.

The correlation is particularly notable in young women, which is the population with highest migraine-stroke risk. Study findings could help determine the best treatment to prevent migraine as well as future stroke and heart disease. Limited evidence indicates that anti-inflammatories can prevent migraine with aura; more research needs to be conducted to compare their efficacy for migraine with aura versus migraine without aura. Researchers did not discuss other potential methods of reducing inflammation in the body.

Gretchen Tietjen, M.D., is the study's lead author. Her expertise is in both migraine and stroke. 

Want to know the latest in migraine research? Check out our blog updates for more information!

REFERENCES

American Headache Society. (2016). Migraine and Inflammation Linked in Young Adults [Press release]. Retrieved June 17, 2016 from https://americanheadachesociety.org/news/migraine-and-inflammation-linked-in-young-adults/.

Ciccone, A. (2016, June 9). Inflammation May Play Significant Role in Migraine in Women. Neurology Advisor. Retrieved from June 17, 2016 from http://www.neurologyadvisor.com/ahs-2016-coverage/inflammation-biomarker-role-in-female-migraine-diagnosis/article/502170/.

Image courtesy of: nutritionfacts.org.


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