Migraine auras

Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .

Migraine auras. Auras occur in about a third of people with migraine, They may also occur with or after the headache. Fully referenced neurology checklist.

General aura features

  • Auras occur in about a third of people with migraine
  • They may also occur with or after the headache
  • They may be associated with sensory and motor symptoms
  • Speech impairment may manifest as aphasia
  • Visual auras are visible even with the eyes shut
  • The mean attack frequency is 12 per year

Classification of auras by duration

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Scintillating scotomas

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Other visual aura types

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Associated visual phenomena

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Differential diagnoses: stroke

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Differential diagnoses: others

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Prophylactic treatment

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Treatment of migraine aura status

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References

  1. van Dongen RM, Haan J. Symptoms related to the visual system in migraine. F1000Res 2019; pii: F1000 Faculty Rev-1219. 
  2. Fandler-Höfler S, Enzinger C, Gattringer T. Speechless from pain: migraine with prolonged aura. Lancet 2020; 396:e11. 
  3. Detsky ME, McDonald DR, Baerlocher MO, Tomlinson GA, McCrory DC, Booth CM. Does this patient with headache have a migraine or need neuroimaging? JAMA 2006; 296:1274-1283.
  4. Angus-Leppan H, Caulfield A. Orgasmic migraine aura: report of two cases. Cephalalgia 2018:333102418771373.
  5. Rodríguez-Castro E, Lagorio AN, Bejarano-García A, Aguiar P, Cortés J, Leira R. Prolonged migraine stuttering aura: structural, functional, and video neuroimaging study of an atypical migraine aura. a case Report. Headache 2020; 60:776-780.
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