Association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and migraine: a review of observational studies

Abstract

IntroductionAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been related to the presence of primary headaches. Among them, migraine presents a wide range of comorbidities shared with  ADHD, both from other psychiatric disorders and  somatic conditions.ObjectiveThis review proposes to describe the association between ADHD and migraine.MethodsBased on literature research in the major medical databases and using as descriptors “Migraine Disorders” and “Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity”. Observational studies that addressed the relationship between migraine and ADHD and written only in English were included. Of the 49 articles found, only 6 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed.ConclusionThis review shows a possible sharing of symptoms between migraine and ADHD, requiring further studies to investigate this relationship.