Duration and frequency of migraines affect cognitive function: evidence from neuropsychological tests and event-related potentials

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the cognitive performance of migraine patients using a comprehensive series of cognitive/behavioral and electrophysiological tests. METHOD: A randomized, cross-sectional, within subject approach was used to compare neuropsychological and electrophysiological evaluations from migrane-affected and healthy subjects. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients with migraine (6 males, 28 females, average 36 years old) were included. Migraineurs performed worse in the majority of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (p = 0.007) compared to the healthy subjects, significantly in language (p = 0.005), memory (p = 0.006), executive functions (p = 0.042), calculation (p = 0.018) and orientation (p = 0.012). Migraineurs had a lower score on the memory trial of the Rey–Osterrieth complex figure test (ROCF) (p = 0.012). The P3 latency in Fz, Cz, Pz was prolonged in migraineurs compared with the normal control group (P < 0.001). In addition, we analyzed significant correlations between MoCA score and the duration of migraine. We also observed that a decrease in the MoCA-executive functions and calculation score and in the ROCF-recall score were both correlated to the frequency of migraine. Migraineurs were more anxious than healthy subjects (p = 0.001), which is independent of cognitive testing. Differences were unrelated to age, gender and literacy. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive performance decreases during migraine, and cognitive dysfunction can be related to the duration and frequency of a migraine attack.