NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN DIFFERENT MIGRAINE FORMS

Abstract

Migraine is a common neurological disorder characterized not only by recurrent headache attacks but also by a wide range of cognitive and emotional disturbances. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the neuropsychological characteristics of migraine, as these features significantly affect patients’ quality of life, daily functioning, and social adaptation. The severity and nature of neuropsychological impairments may vary depending on the clinical form of migraine, including uncomplicated (simple) and complicated (complex) variants. Patients with different migraine forms may demonstrate changes in attention, memory, executive functions, and information processing speed, both during migraine attacks and in the interictal period. Complex forms of migraine are more often associated with pronounced neuropsychological deficits, including impaired concentration, reduced working memory capacity, emotional lability, increased anxiety, and depressive symptoms. In contrast, individuals with uncomplicated migraine typically exhibit milder and more transient cognitive disturbances, which are often reversible and closely related to headache frequency and intensity. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying neuropsychological changes in migraine are multifactorial and include cortical hyperexcitability, altered functional connectivity, dysregulation of neurotransmitter systems, and recurrent pain-related stress. Repeated migraine attacks may contribute to cumulative cognitive effects, particularly in patients with long disease duration and high attack frequency. This review highlights the neuropsychological characteristics observed in different migraine forms and emphasizes the importance of comprehensive neuropsychological assessment in migraine patients. Early identification of cognitive and emotional disturbances allows for more individualized treatment strategies, improved therapeutic outcomes, and better long-term prognosis.