Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLink Between Migraine and MSHow Are They Similar?Misdiagnosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Link Between Migraine and MS
How Are They Similar?
Misdiagnosis
Some research suggests there is a connection between migraines and multiple sclerosis (MS), as the conditions often co-occur. Further, the symptoms ofMSmay also be similar to or confused with a migraine attack. That said, more studies are needed to determine how these two conditions may be linked.
Ellen Lindner / Verywell
The Link Between Migraine and MS
Some research suggests there may be a connection between MS and migraine, although the relationship has not been fully teased out. At the very least, migraine seems to often co-occur with MS.There are a variety of theories about why this link exists, but here’s a look at some of the most common ones.
Migraine as a Symptom of MS
Some experts hypothesize thatmigraine may be an early symptom of MS, though there isn’t much evidence to support this theory.
According to one 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis published inJournal of Clinical Neuroscience,the prevalence of migraine in MS patients is around 31%. The analysis included a total of 11,372 MS cases and 2627 MS patients with migraine.
Underlying Mechanisms
It’s possible that there are some shared underlying mechanisms between the two conditions as well, though there’s little proof to go on. Suggested mechanisms include:
How Are Migraine and MS Similar?
MS and migraine share some similarities, including:
The Problem of Misdiagnosis
Studies have found that migraines occurtwo to three times more oftenin people with MS than in the general population.In addition, some symptoms of migraine and MS can be similar, reinforcing the importance of reporting the duration and quality of your symptoms to your healthcare provider in detail.
Due to these potential similarities, a person having migraines may be misdiagnosed with MS. A 2016 study performed at four academic MS centers looked at records of 110 patients who had been misdiagnosed with MS, some believing they had MS for 20 years or more. The most frequent alternate/correct diagnosis was migraine, either alone or in combination with other diagnoses, which was found in 22% of the misdiagnosed patients.
Can MS look like migraines on an MRI?Migraine and MS can appear similar on an MRI scan. When you see a neurologist for your headaches, you’ll typically havemagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)of your brain. If you have migraine or MS, it may showbrain lesionscalledwhite matter lesionsor T2hyperintensities, although the pattern is usually different in each. This is why these lesions need to be interpreted carefully on an MRI and considered along with your symptoms.
Can MS look like migraines on an MRI?
Migraine and MS can appear similar on an MRI scan. When you see a neurologist for your headaches, you’ll typically havemagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)of your brain. If you have migraine or MS, it may showbrain lesionscalledwhite matter lesionsor T2hyperintensities, although the pattern is usually different in each. This is why these lesions need to be interpreted carefully on an MRI and considered along with your symptoms.
Of course, misdiagnosing MS (or vice versa) can be quite anxiety-provoking for a patient, as well as lead to unnecessary treatments. Scientists are working on techniques to make imaging tests more specific in hopes that fewer cases of misdiagnosis will occur in the future.
Summary
More studies are needed to both confirm the link between MS and migraines and to provide data as to exactly why an association exists. Keep in mind that the chance ofdeveloping MSis still very small, regardless of your migraine background.Be proactive in your health care and candid when discussing your concerns or points of confusion with your healthcare provider.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mrabet S, Wafa M, Giovannoni G.Multiple sclerosis and migraine: Links, management and implications.Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. 2022;68:104152. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2022.104152Mirmosayyeb O, Barzegar M, Nehzat N, Shaygannejad V, Sahraian MA, Ghajarzadeh M.The prevalence of migraine in multiple sclerosis (MS): A systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. 2020;79:33-38. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2020.06.021Husain F, Pardo G, Rabadi M.Headache and its management in patients with multiple sclerosis.Curr Treat Options Neurol. 2018;20(4):10. doi:10.1007/s11940-018-0495-4Applebee A.The Clinical Overlap of Multiple Sclerosis and Headache.Headache. 2012 Oct;52 Suppl 2:111–6. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4610.2012.02243.xAmerican Migraine Foundation.How long does a migraine attack last?National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Migraine.Walter K.What is migraine?JAMA. 2022;327(1):93. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.21857Solomon AJ, Bourdette DN, Cross AH, et al.The Contemporary Spectrum of Multiple Sclerosis Misdiagnosis: A Multicenter Study.Neurology. 2016;87(13):1393–9. doi:10.1212%2FWNL.0000000000003152John F, Kis-Jakab G, Komáromy H, et al.Differentiation of hemispheric white matter lesions in migraine and multiple sclerosis with similar radiological features using advanced MRI.Front Neurosci. 2024;18:1384073. doi:10.3389/fnins.2024.1384073Additional ReadingApplebee A.The Clinical Overlap of Multiple Sclerosis and Headache.Headache. 2012 Oct;52 Suppl 2:111–6. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4610.2012.02243.x.Kister I, Munger KL, Herbert J, Ascherio A.Increased Risk of Multiple Sclerosis Among Women With Migraine in the Nurses' Health Study II.Multiple Sclerosis Journal. January 2012;18(1):90–7. doi:10.1177%2F1352458511416487.Peckel L.Migraine and Multiple Sclerosis: Connection or Coincidence?NeurologyAdvisor. Haymarket Media, Inc. Published January 8, 2018. https://www.neurologyadvisor.com/advisor-channels/headache-migraine-advisor/migraine-and-multiple-sclerosis-connection-or-coincidence/.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mrabet S, Wafa M, Giovannoni G.Multiple sclerosis and migraine: Links, management and implications.Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. 2022;68:104152. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2022.104152Mirmosayyeb O, Barzegar M, Nehzat N, Shaygannejad V, Sahraian MA, Ghajarzadeh M.The prevalence of migraine in multiple sclerosis (MS): A systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. 2020;79:33-38. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2020.06.021Husain F, Pardo G, Rabadi M.Headache and its management in patients with multiple sclerosis.Curr Treat Options Neurol. 2018;20(4):10. doi:10.1007/s11940-018-0495-4Applebee A.The Clinical Overlap of Multiple Sclerosis and Headache.Headache. 2012 Oct;52 Suppl 2:111–6. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4610.2012.02243.xAmerican Migraine Foundation.How long does a migraine attack last?National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Migraine.Walter K.What is migraine?JAMA. 2022;327(1):93. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.21857Solomon AJ, Bourdette DN, Cross AH, et al.The Contemporary Spectrum of Multiple Sclerosis Misdiagnosis: A Multicenter Study.Neurology. 2016;87(13):1393–9. doi:10.1212%2FWNL.0000000000003152John F, Kis-Jakab G, Komáromy H, et al.Differentiation of hemispheric white matter lesions in migraine and multiple sclerosis with similar radiological features using advanced MRI.Front Neurosci. 2024;18:1384073. doi:10.3389/fnins.2024.1384073Additional ReadingApplebee A.The Clinical Overlap of Multiple Sclerosis and Headache.Headache. 2012 Oct;52 Suppl 2:111–6. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4610.2012.02243.x.Kister I, Munger KL, Herbert J, Ascherio A.Increased Risk of Multiple Sclerosis Among Women With Migraine in the Nurses' Health Study II.Multiple Sclerosis Journal. January 2012;18(1):90–7. doi:10.1177%2F1352458511416487.Peckel L.Migraine and Multiple Sclerosis: Connection or Coincidence?NeurologyAdvisor. Haymarket Media, Inc. Published January 8, 2018. https://www.neurologyadvisor.com/advisor-channels/headache-migraine-advisor/migraine-and-multiple-sclerosis-connection-or-coincidence/.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Mrabet S, Wafa M, Giovannoni G.Multiple sclerosis and migraine: Links, management and implications.Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. 2022;68:104152. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2022.104152Mirmosayyeb O, Barzegar M, Nehzat N, Shaygannejad V, Sahraian MA, Ghajarzadeh M.The prevalence of migraine in multiple sclerosis (MS): A systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. 2020;79:33-38. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2020.06.021Husain F, Pardo G, Rabadi M.Headache and its management in patients with multiple sclerosis.Curr Treat Options Neurol. 2018;20(4):10. doi:10.1007/s11940-018-0495-4Applebee A.The Clinical Overlap of Multiple Sclerosis and Headache.Headache. 2012 Oct;52 Suppl 2:111–6. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4610.2012.02243.xAmerican Migraine Foundation.How long does a migraine attack last?National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Migraine.Walter K.What is migraine?JAMA. 2022;327(1):93. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.21857Solomon AJ, Bourdette DN, Cross AH, et al.The Contemporary Spectrum of Multiple Sclerosis Misdiagnosis: A Multicenter Study.Neurology. 2016;87(13):1393–9. doi:10.1212%2FWNL.0000000000003152John F, Kis-Jakab G, Komáromy H, et al.Differentiation of hemispheric white matter lesions in migraine and multiple sclerosis with similar radiological features using advanced MRI.Front Neurosci. 2024;18:1384073. doi:10.3389/fnins.2024.1384073
Mrabet S, Wafa M, Giovannoni G.Multiple sclerosis and migraine: Links, management and implications.Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. 2022;68:104152. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2022.104152
Mirmosayyeb O, Barzegar M, Nehzat N, Shaygannejad V, Sahraian MA, Ghajarzadeh M.The prevalence of migraine in multiple sclerosis (MS): A systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. 2020;79:33-38. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2020.06.021
Husain F, Pardo G, Rabadi M.Headache and its management in patients with multiple sclerosis.Curr Treat Options Neurol. 2018;20(4):10. doi:10.1007/s11940-018-0495-4
Applebee A.The Clinical Overlap of Multiple Sclerosis and Headache.Headache. 2012 Oct;52 Suppl 2:111–6. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4610.2012.02243.x
American Migraine Foundation.How long does a migraine attack last?
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Migraine.
Walter K.What is migraine?JAMA. 2022;327(1):93. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.21857
Solomon AJ, Bourdette DN, Cross AH, et al.The Contemporary Spectrum of Multiple Sclerosis Misdiagnosis: A Multicenter Study.Neurology. 2016;87(13):1393–9. doi:10.1212%2FWNL.0000000000003152
John F, Kis-Jakab G, Komáromy H, et al.Differentiation of hemispheric white matter lesions in migraine and multiple sclerosis with similar radiological features using advanced MRI.Front Neurosci. 2024;18:1384073. doi:10.3389/fnins.2024.1384073
Applebee A.The Clinical Overlap of Multiple Sclerosis and Headache.Headache. 2012 Oct;52 Suppl 2:111–6. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4610.2012.02243.x.Kister I, Munger KL, Herbert J, Ascherio A.Increased Risk of Multiple Sclerosis Among Women With Migraine in the Nurses' Health Study II.Multiple Sclerosis Journal. January 2012;18(1):90–7. doi:10.1177%2F1352458511416487.Peckel L.Migraine and Multiple Sclerosis: Connection or Coincidence?NeurologyAdvisor. Haymarket Media, Inc. Published January 8, 2018. https://www.neurologyadvisor.com/advisor-channels/headache-migraine-advisor/migraine-and-multiple-sclerosis-connection-or-coincidence/.
Applebee A.The Clinical Overlap of Multiple Sclerosis and Headache.Headache. 2012 Oct;52 Suppl 2:111–6. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4610.2012.02243.x.
Kister I, Munger KL, Herbert J, Ascherio A.Increased Risk of Multiple Sclerosis Among Women With Migraine in the Nurses' Health Study II.Multiple Sclerosis Journal. January 2012;18(1):90–7. doi:10.1177%2F1352458511416487.
Peckel L.Migraine and Multiple Sclerosis: Connection or Coincidence?NeurologyAdvisor. Haymarket Media, Inc. Published January 8, 2018. https://www.neurologyadvisor.com/advisor-channels/headache-migraine-advisor/migraine-and-multiple-sclerosis-connection-or-coincidence/.
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