Do Migraines Increase Alzheimer’s Risk? Here’s What the Science Says

For more than a billion people worldwide, migraines are more than just severe headaches. Migraines are a complex neurological disorder with a set of symptoms that differs from person to person but can affect vision, speech, and coordination. Now, new research shows that when migraines aren’t well-controlled, the effects could go beyond the momentary pain to have long-term ramifications for cognition and brain health. 

A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of nearly 7 million people discovered that migraines (particularly migraines with aura, which means they come with neurological symptoms that occur before an attack begins) are associated with an increased dementia risk overall, including a link with specific subtypes like Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. 

The researchers pointed to neuroinflammation, genetics, and vascular dysfunction as possible reasons for the increased risk. 

This analysis does not mean that someone who has chronic migraines will develop dementia. However, according to Dr. Katherine Amodeo, assistant professor of neurology at New York Medical College, the study identifies an area where people could potentially take steps to lessen their dementia risk. 

Migraine and dementia appear linked but review had limitations 

In this review, the researchers had one goal: to determine whether migraines are a risk factor for dementia. They concluded, yes, but with this caution: The data they used wasn’t originally designed to test that specific question. 

“It wasn’t set up to show causation, it was more just looking at the association of migraine as a potential risk factor,” explained Amodeo. The review simply discovered that across a wide range of studies, people with a history of migraines were more likely to develop dementia. 

The review also had other limitations. It didn’t account for the effect that migraine medications and treatments might have on cognition. And the included reviews differed in how migraine and dementia were diagnosed and how long the participants were followed. Most of the cohort studies also looked at primarily European and Asian populations. Still, the overall outcome — a link between migraines and dementia — was consistent with past literature that showed an increased risk of dementia in people with migraines. 

Identifying risk factors 

The researchers suggested theories that overlapped with existing knowledge about how migraines affect the brain. Neuroinflammation, for example, is one top theory. Migraine attacks release inflammatory molecules — including calcitonin gene-related peptides (CRGPs) — and over time, repeated attacks could cause changes in the brain. 

What’s more, chronic pain in general can affect areas like the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and medial prefrontal cortex, which play major roles in memory and cognition. 

“[The review is] saying the release of those peptides may lead to neuroinflammation and even potentially neurodegeneration,” Amodeo said. “So the breakdown of those neurons over time. And if you have these repeated attacks… this is still just theorized, but the repeated acute events potentially lead to these downstream more long-term impacts.”

The review also stated that “genetic susceptibility may underlie the comorbidity between migraine and dementia.” In other words, some people might simply be genetically predisposed to both conditions. The association between migraines and dementia could be due to shared biology, with certain neurotransmitters in the brain involved in both diseases.

Additional mechanisms may include vascular or hormonal factors. Vascular health, Amodeo pointed out, is crucial to help prevent all types of dementia. And since migraines can cause vascular dysfunction, this could increase dementia risk.

Finally, the review discovered that women have a higher dementia risk, citing sex hormones as a possible factor. “Migraine in general is more common in women compared to men,” Amodeo said. “Is there a protective effect of testosterone? Does estrogen play a role in migraine? We know it does. So I think it’s still just identifying that the things that are associated with migraine may be associated with risk for dementia.”

Easing migraines and protecting cognitive health

Some of the risk factors for neurodegenerative disease are out of our control. “We know that genetics are something that, unfortunately, we can’t change,” Amodeo pointed out. “Aging, which is the biggest risk factor for dementia in general — we can’t stop that. But we have identified some risks that potentially are modifiable… there’s something we can do about it.”

Seeking better migraine treatment instead of “mustering on” could not only impact long-term brain health, but also improve quality of life day-to-day.

People who live with migraines should meet with their doctor and talk about options for better migraine control, she said. This might look like exercising; staying socially engaged; getting good sleep; eating well (Dr. Amodeo noted there’s evidence for the Mediterranean diet changing dementia risk); investigating new migraine treatment options; and — for people who are noticing new memory problems or who have a strong family history of neurodegeneration — considering genetic counseling.

“By saying, ‘Hey, maybe those with migraines are more at risk,’ that enables physicians and scientists to think, ‘Well, why is that?’ And then potentially that’s another target for treatment and cure,” Amodeo said. “So, certainly, it’s a time to be hopeful.” 

Hailey Hudson is an Atlanta-based freelance healthcare writer who writes for outlets such as Patient Power, Psychiatry Advisor, and Behavioral Health Tech.