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Migraine headaches can increase you risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a recent study by Canadian researchers.

Canadian researchers from the University of Waterloo and the University of Manitoba found that migraine sufferers were four times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

The study evaluated 679 senior citizens who participated in the Manitoba Study of Health and Aging. The participants had no cognitive impairments at the start of the study. They filled out a questionnaire that asked about about their migraine history. A follow-up exam five years later found that 34 had Alzheimer’s. An additional 51 participants had developed dementia, and 12 had vascular dementia. Vascular dementia is caused by an impaired supply of blood to the brain.

Nearly 24 percent of those with Alzheimer’s had a history of migraines, compared to 10 percent of the non-Alzheimer’s disease subjects.

The researchers discovered a similar association between migraines and all-cause dementia, with migraine sufferers being three times as likely to develop the condition. But, they found no connection for vascular dementia participants.

Conclusion

The researchers said finding a link between migraines and Alzheimer’s is important, given the aging population. Early detection can identify at-risk individuals and help start intervention programs to improve quality of life.

Consequently, Clinicians, should consider earlier screening for cognitive decline in migraine sufferers, as well as providing more aggressive treatments to delay full-disease onset. This protocol will improve the quality of life and increase the likelihood of healthy aging.