Migraine is a neurological disorder commonly manifested as severe headache pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and light sensitivity. Approximately 15 percent of people worldwide experience migraine, with women reporting migraine more often than men. A new study shows that migraine increases a person’s risk of vascular dementia.

Researchers used data from a large, population-based cohort study involving nearly 6 million adults with or without regular migraines. They tracked the participants' health for about ten years and assessed their risk for developing vascular dementia.

They found that people with chronic migraines were 33 percent more likely to develop vascular dementia than those without. Those with episodic migraines were 16 percent more likely. The risk of developing vascular dementia was greater among younger people, women, non-smokers, and those without hypertension or diabetes.

These findings suggest that migraine increases the risk of developing vascular dementia, possibly manifesting in younger, otherwise healthy adults. Migraines and vascular dementia share many pathophysiological traits that may explain their interconnected risk. For example, both conditions elicit alterations in cerebral blood flow, with migraines characterized by impaired blood vessel tone and responsiveness and vascular dementia characterized by chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency. In addition, inflammatory processes contributing to brain endothelial dysfunction play a critical role in both disorders.

However, some evidence suggests magnesium prevents migraines. Learn more in this clip featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.