Migraine headache and aura induced by hypoxia

Abstract

AbstractMigraine, a common neurological disorder, impacts over a billion individuals globally. Its complex aetiology involves various signalling cascades. Hypoxia causes headaches such as high‐altitude headache and acute mountain sickness which share phenotypical similarities with migraine. Epidemiological data indicate an increased prevalence of migraine with and without aura in high‐altitude populations. Experimental studies have further shown that hypoxia can induce migraine attacks. This review summarizes evidence linking hypoxia to migraine, delves into potential pathophysiological mechanisms and highlights research gaps. image