• Karen E Waldie, Markus Hausmann, Barry J Milne, and Richie Poulton.
• Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, New Zealand. k.waldie@auckland.ac.nz
• Neurology. 2002 Sep 24; 59 (6): 904-8.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between migraine and cognitive ability among members of a longitudinal birth cohort study.MethodsHeadache status was determined at age 26 (migraine, tension-type headache [TTH], headache-free control subjects) according to International Headache Society criteria, and data relating to cognitive and academic performance from ages 3 to 26 years were analyzed.ResultsStudy members diagnosed with migraine were subtly but significantly impaired, compared with those with TTH and headache-free control subjects, on tests of verbal ability (especially language reception) from ages 3 to 13, independent of headache history. Performance on other tasks, including reading, arithmetic, motor, and spatial ability, was normal. The association between migraine and verbal functioning also appeared to impact on later academic success.ConclusionFindings suggest that the poorer verbal performance was unlikely to have resulted from cumulative attacks and may be due to developmental factors beginning in utero.

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