Neuropsychological and cognitive profile in adults with migraine

Neuropsychological Profile Characterization in Patients With Migraine: Cognitive Functioning and Psychological Variables

Observational Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta · NCT07233941

This project will test how thinking skills and psychological factors (like anxiety, depression, worry, and coping) relate to migraine in adults who have had migraine for at least one year.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment150 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorFondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta Academic / other
Locations1 site (Milan)
Trial IDNCT07233941 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study will perform standardized neuropsychological testing and collect measures of anxiety, depressive symptoms, pain catastrophizing, excessive worry, and coping strategies in people with migraine. Investigators will examine how cognitive functioning relates to migraine clinical features, attack phase (prodromal, ictal, interictal), current pharmacological treatment, and detoxification in cases of medication overuse headache. Eligible participants are adults 18–65 with an ICHD-3 migraine diagnosis and stable treatment for at least three months, excluding those with severe psychiatric or medical comorbidities, substance abuse, or primary sensory deficits. All assessments are conducted at Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta in Milan, Italy, using validated instruments and standardized protocols.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–65 with an ICHD-3 diagnosis of migraine for at least one year, stable treatment for three months, able to understand Italian, and without severe medical/psychiatric disorders or substance abuse are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with severe psychiatric illnesses, a history of alcohol or drug abuse, primary sensory deficits, or those who cannot understand Italian are unlikely to benefit from or be eligible for this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help identify cognitive and psychological patterns linked to migraine and guide more personalized management strategies.

How similar studies have performed: Previous observational research has reported mixed evidence of cognitive changes in people with migraine, so this study builds on existing but not definitive findings.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Written informed consent.
* Patients aged between 18 and 65 years.
* Diagnosis of migraine according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) criteria.
* Patients with a history of migraine for at least one year, to ensure the stability of the condition.
* Stability of ongoing treatment for at least 3 months at baseline.
* Understanding of the Italian language.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Severe medical or psychiatric conditions (depression, schizophrenia, psychosis) documented by specific previous diagnoses.
* A history of alcohol or drug abuse.
* Primary sensory deficits.

Where this trial is running

Milan

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions MigraineMigraine Diseasemigrainecognitioncognitive impairment
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.