Migraine and epilepsy - A relationship?

In migraine and epilepsy transient neurological symptoms, normal neurologic al and physical findings between events and genetic/familiar diposition are common. Epidemiologic studies indicate a relationship, which cannot be spe cified by begin, classification, aetiology and familar history of epilepsy. Reasons for coexisting of migraine and epilepsy are 1) epilepsies in child hood, 2) symptomatic causes, 3) postictal migraine headache, 4) random coin cidence, 5) symptomatic epilepsy induced by migraine for many years and 6) migraine aura induced epilepsy. "Spreading depression" is a proposed mechan ism for migraine aura induced epilepsy. A genetic determination of comorbid ity and an effective co-therapy are not described yet. Only for valproate a n antimigraine and antiepileptic efficiency is proven. In conclusion migrai ne and epilepsy are disorders of different entities and pathophysiologies. The relationship may be based on an altered brain state with increased elec trical instability disposing to epilepsy and migraine.