The exploration of mechanisms of comorbidity between migraine and depression

J Cell Mol Med. 2019 Jul;23(7):4505-4513. doi: 10.1111/jcmm.14390. Epub 2019 May 20.

Abstract

Migraine comorbid with depression is common and is often encountered in clinical practice. The comorbidity may lead to more serious conditions with other symptoms and a longer duration of treatment and it may impose heavy economic and social burdens, directly or indirectly, on patients and their families. Numerous studies have been published on the association of migraine with depression. Numerous literature have showed that the comorbidity may have a common complicated pathogenic mechanism involving biopsychosocial characteristics, including abnormal brain development and shared genetic basis, as well as neurotransmitters, sex hormones and stress. In addition, some studies have identified the multiple, bidirectional relationship between migraine and depressive disorder. We searched the literature for the possible common mechanisms between migraine and depression and classified the research results.

Keywords: depression; mechanism; migraine; review; therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain / embryology
  • Brain / pathology
  • Comorbidity
  • Depression / epidemiology*
  • Depression / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Migraine Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Migraine Disorders / genetics
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / metabolism

Substances

  • Neurotransmitter Agents