PhD defence C. (Cevdet) Acarsoy

Brief summary:

This research explores the connection between migraine and the vascular system in older adults using data from the Rotterdam Study, a population-based prospective cohort study. Traditionally seen as a severe headache disorder, migraine also appears to intersect with certain vascular changes, which could affect long-term health, particularly in the brain. The thesis is divided into three main areas of investigation: First, it examines systemic factors, like blood pressure and immune markers, and finds that traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking or diabetes are generally not directly linked to migraine. However, higher blood pressure may slightly elevate migraine likelihood. The second area studies structural changes in the brain, showing that migraines are not necessarily connected to long-term damage in brain volume or small vessel health. The final section addresses clinical outcomes, revealing that, contrary to some theories, migraine does not appear to increase the risk of stroke or dementia in elderly populations. Overall, the findings emphasize that migraine's link to vascular health is complex but generally does not worsen cardiovascular outcomes in older age.