Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: During the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in migraine headaches have been observed. This case series of seven patients seeks to identify changes in migraines following COVID-19 infection and discuss the mechanisms by which these changes may have occurred. The study was composed of seven subjects with prior COVID-19 infection and a preceding history of migraine disorder. Most of the subjects presented with increased frequency and intensity of migraines shortly or immediately following COVID-19 infection. Many also described a shift in pain from local to diffuse headache. Additionally, some subjects developed other neuropsychiatric symptoms consistent with long COVID that included brain fog and, unusually, aphasia. After COVID-19 infection, six subjects had reduced efficacy for their medications and had to alter their regimen. Standard treatments such as Botox and anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide (anti-GCRP) had varied success among the cases. It is important to note that the pathophysiology of migraines during COVID-19 is still unclear and other factors can play a role. Nevertheless, individuals with a history of migraines noticed worsening symptoms and changes in medication efficacy following COVID-19 infection.
Source: Cureus
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.82708
Authors: Neil Shah, Deep Patel, Amber Sousa, Adena N Leder
Institution: New York Institute of Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4409628896