• P R Bauer, J A Carpay, G M Terwindt, J W Sander, R J Thijs, J Haan, and G H Visser.
• SEIN Epilepsy Institute in the Netherlands Foundation, Heemstede, The Netherlands, P.O. Box 540, 2130 AM, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands.
• Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2013 Aug 1; 17 (8): 351.

AbstractHeadache and epilepsy often co-occur. Epidemiologic studies conducted in the past few years reinforce the notion of a bi-directional association between migraine and epilepsy. Data on an association between headache (in general) and epilepsy, however, are less clear. Peri-ictal headache often presents with migraine-like symptoms and can be severe. A correct diagnosis and management are paramount. It was demonstrated that cortical hyperexcitability may underlie both epilepsy and migraine. A recent study linked spreading depolarisation, the supposed underlying pathophysiological mechanism of migraine with aura, to epilepsy. Although this study was carried out in patients who had suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage, the finding may shed light on pathophysiological mechanisms common to epilepsy and migraine.

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