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Migraine and Gastroparesis

  • Headache (R.B. Halker Singh and J. VanderPluym, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purposeof Review

Migraine is a chronic and disabling disease affecting a significant proportion of the world’s population. There is evidence that gastroparesis, a gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility disorder in which transit of gastric contents is delayed, can occur in the setting of migraine. This article aims to review recent literature on overlap in the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of migraine and gastroparesis and highlight management considerations when these disorders coexist.

Recent Findings

There has been increasing recognition of the importance of the connection between the GI tract and the brain, and mounting evidence for the overlap in the pathophysiology of migraine and gastroparesis specifically. There exists a complex interplay between the central, autonomic, and enteric nervous systems. Studies show that gastroparesis may be present during and between acute migraine attacks necessitating modification of management to optimize outcomes.

Summary

Gastric dysmotility in the setting of migraine can impact absorption of oral migraine medications and alternate formulations should be considered for some patients. Noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation has been FDA cleared for migraine treatment and is also being studied in gastroparesis. Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system is a significant feature in the pathophysiology of gut motility and migraine, making treatments that modulate the vagus nerve attractive for future research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ, USA

    Karissa N. Arca

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Jacqueline Cai & Fangfang Wang

  3. Department of Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ, USA

    Gassan Kassim, William L. Hasler & Mashal J. Batheja

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  1. Karissa N. Arca
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  2. Jacqueline Cai
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Correspondence to Karissa N. Arca.

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Arca, K.N., Cai, J., Wang, F. et al. Migraine and Gastroparesis. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 22, 813–821 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-022-01241-3

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