Migraine and Its Equivalents: What Do They Share? A Narrative Review on Common Pathophysiological Patterns

Abstract

Migraine is the first in order of frequency of the neurological disorders, affecting both adult and paediatric populations. It is also the first cause of primary headaches in children. Migraine equivalents are periodic disorders that can be associated with migraine or considered as prognostic features of a future migraine manifestation. Despite the mechanisms underlying migraine and its equivalents are not entirely clear, several elements support the hypothesis of common pathophysiological patterns shared by these conditions. The aim of this review is thus to analyze the literature in order to highlight which currently known mechanisms may be common between migraine and its equivalents.