Migraine & Memory Loss
Memory loss is one possible symptom of migraine. It may relate to changes in the cerebral cortex, including the hippocampus, during a migraine attack.
Usually memory loss is temporary.
Transient global amnesia (TGA) and transient anterograde amnesia (TAA), more severe forms lasting a few hours, have been linked to migraine.
Other migraine related cognitive problems:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble remembering/understanding words
- Inability to recognize faces
Some migraine meds may contribute to memory problems (ie beta-blockers).
Memory loss may be a sign of migraine, stroke, concussion, or another disease – always check with your doctor! Memory loss in migraine may be treated by treating migraine in general.
Thanks to: Isoflurane Induces Transient Anterograde Amnesia through Suppression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Hippocampus., Common hippocampal structural and functional changes in migraine., Heal Your Headache, Migraine headaches, Neuroscience in the Courtroom, The Migraine Brain
bstacy76
5 August 2013 @ 11:02 am
RT @migraine_blog: Migraine & Memory Loss: Memory loss is one possible symptom of migraine. It may relate … http://t.co/gHGum2bIdw
5 August 2013 @ 11:04 am
I knew it!! it happens to me!
Nikki_Albert
5 August 2013 @ 6:00 pm
Working with chronic #migraines and, well, #memory issues are pretty obvious. Like the failure to recognize… http://t.co/jil6e2TABC
6 August 2013 @ 3:00 am
anything immediately before during and sometimes after a migraine, forget it…
16 August 2013 @ 3:04 am
Suddenly it’s like the proverbial light bulb has clicked on. I’ve had migraines since forever. I thought mine were vision related and they might very well be but this makes a whole lot of sense too! My doc loves when I give myself a self diagnosis. She says she wont be surprised if one day I come tell her I have a rare prostate disease (I’m female)
10 January 2014 @ 7:14 pm
My memory loss isn’t temporary. Whatever it is completely gone.
The MRI done of my brain showed white lesions or scars caused by my migraines. These scars destroy whatever brain matter they appear on. I can remember some things with such clarity and detail and then absolutely nothing about something else. Recently, I had a medical issue and to have a diagnostic mammogram. The medical office called me to say that I’d just had one in March 2013, was I having a different issue than my annual? I very much was but getting your boobs squished is not something you just totally forget! I made them show me the x-rays before I would believe them. I’ve had other “not quite right moments” like forgetting passwords or where I was driving to but eventually it comes to me. I do take 3 Topomax a night to prevent the migraines. Still have them every few weeks one after the other but not as often as it used to be. I’m just worried about my mind in the future!
8 September 2014 @ 3:50 pm
The whole idea of taking migraine medication, medicine that effects the brain and areas in an around the brain, just scares the heck out of me, what are they really doing to me, what are the long term effects? But like many migraine sufferers when you have a migraine you want it gone, and if medication is going to take the pain away, you are going to take that medication. Sometimes my migraines are so severe, I can’t even open my mouth to talk.
Right now I’m researching Relpax and memory loss.
Is Your Brain “Slower” During A Migraine Attack?
30 October 2014 @ 9:08 pm
[…] know that even some severe forms of temporary memory loss are connected to migraine attacks. The symptoms can be quite serious, and sometimes will show up in very noticeable ways, such […]
16 June 2016 @ 5:19 pm
i have to start again after each migraine .. dont know what i was doing .cant remember . the only way i find to keep it all together is to try n write it down so i can go back to what i was doing… thats if i can find my list!! 3 days of migraine related ill health leaves the brain feeling like it has been in a tumble drier for a few weeks…
22 October 2021 @ 2:28 pm
I have. Blood disorder which is in the family of sickle cell disease. I have had to episodes in the last 6 months of A migraine with dehydration and amnesia. I literally can’t remember nothing from before the amnesia is debilitating it’s depressing and I’m having a hard time coming back.