Migraine Alzheimer's Disease 21 May, 2025 Read Time: 5 mins

The Milestones of Depression and Migraine in the Development of AD

Not only is depression commonly seen after the onset of AD, but depression also acts as a risk factor for AD, increasing the risk of developing AD by three times in individuals with depression2 while individuals with migraines have a 19% higher risk of developing dementia compared to the general population, and those with migraines accompanied by aura have a twofold higher risk of dementia6. Interestingly, not only can migraine and depression contribute to the development of AD, but migraine can also increase the risk of depression by a factor of 1.61 to 2.35.7

The risk of developing AD is twice as high in individuals with active depression or a history of depression lasting at least two years3.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) can lead to various complications, including depression. AD is classified into three stages: mild, moderate, and severe. The prevalence of depression in AD differs between these stages: 38% in mild AD, 41% in moderate AD, and 37% in severe AD1. Not only is depression commonly seen after the onset of AD, but depression also acts as a risk factor for AD, increasing the risk of developing AD by three times in individuals with depression2. Additionally, the risk of depression in AD is influenced by whether the depression is active. The risk of developing AD is twice as high in individuals with active depression or a history of depression lasting at least two years3.

 

Individuals who experience depression for a shorter period are more likely to develop AD than those with a longer history of depression4

The age at which depression begins also influences the risk of developing AD. Interestingly, individuals who experience depression for a shorter period are more likely to develop AD than those with a longer history of depression. Specifically, depression onset after the age of 75 is associated with a higher risk of AD compared to depression that starts before the age of 55, even if the depression is milder4. Furthermore, the time between the onset of depression and the occurrence of AD varies by age. For individuals who develop depression before the age of 55, the average time to AD onset is 6.95 years; for those aged 55-64, it is 6.04 years; for those aged 65-74, it is 5 years; and for those aged 75 or older, it is 3.41 years4.

 

Individuals with migraines have a 19% higher risk of developing dementia compared to the general population, and those with migraines accompanied by aura have a twofold higher risk of dementia6.

Depression is commonly associated with AD, while migraines are not typically reported to coincide with AD but can occur before its manifestation. A history of migraines has been shown to increase the risk of developing AD, with the risk ranging from 1.39 to 8.77 times higher5. Although less extensively reported than depression, the onset of AD in individuals with a history of migraines occurs 3.6 to 11.2 years after the onset of migraines. Additionally, the type of migraine affects the risk of AD. Individuals with migraines have a 19% higher risk of developing dementia compared to the general population, and those with migraines accompanied by aura have a twofold higher risk of dementia6.

 

Interestingly, not only can migraine and depression contribute to the development of AD, but migraine can also increase the risk of depression by a factor of 1.61 to 2.357

Interestingly, not only can migraine and depression contribute to the development of AD, but migraine can also increase the risk of depression by a factor of 1.61 to 2.357. While data on the specific timeline for how migraine may lead to depression are not available, a 12-year follow-up study found that 60% of participants with migraine developed depression8. Additionally, migraine and depression can coincide in 13.5% of females and 6.2% of males9.

In conclusion, active depression or a history of depression lasting at least two years is strongly linked to an increased risk of developing AD. Additionally, depression after the age of 75 is associated with a higher risk of AD. While migraines are not typically reported to coincide with AD, a history of migraines, whether active or not, increases the risk of developing AD. Although migraine can lead to depression, the specific timeline for this progression has not yet been reported. Further research is needed to determine whether the risk is only related to active migraine cases. The milestones of depression and migraine in the development of Alzheimer's disease are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Milestones of Depression and Migraine in the Development of Alzheimer's Disease. (adapted from4,6,8)

Figure 1. Milestones of Depression and Migraine in the Development of Alzheimer's Disease.  (adapted from4,6,8)

    Our correspondent’s highlights from the symposium are meant as a fair representation of the scientific content presented. The views and opinions expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect those of Lundbeck.

    References

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    1.  Jang, Y. J., Kim, M. J., Moon, Y. K., Lim, S. W., & Kim, D. K. (2025). Changes in dementia risk along with onset age of depression: a longitudinal cohort study of elderly depressed patients. BMC Psychiatry, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06683-w

     

    1. Tyas, S. L., Manfreda, J., Strain, L. A., & Montgomery, P. R. (2001). Risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease: a population-based, longitudinal study in Manitoba, Canada. International Journal of Epidemiology, 30(3), 590–597. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/30.3.590

     

    1. Islamoska, S., Hansen, Å. M., Wang, H. X., Garde, A. H., Andersen, P. K., Garde, E., Hansen, J. M., Waldemar, G., & Nabe-Nielsen, K. (2020). Mid- To late-life migraine diagnoses and risk of dementia: A national register-based follow-up study. Journal of Headache and Pain, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-020-01166-7

     

    1. Amiri, S., Behnezhad, S., & Azad, E. (2019). Migraine headache and depression in adults: a systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Neuropsychiatrie, 33(3), 131–140. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40211-018-0299-5

     

    1. Modgill, G., Jette, N., Wang, J. L., Becker, W. J., & Patten, S. B. (2012). A Population-Based Longitudinal Community Study of Major Depression and Migraine. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 52(3), 422–432. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2011.02036.x

     

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