Is Migraine a Sensory Processing Disorder?
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Key Questions
- What is a sensory processing disorder?
- Is migraine considered a sensory processing disorder?
- Why do normal stimuli feel intense or painful for people with migraine?
- Does sensory processing difficulty worsen with chronic migraine and lessen with improvement?
- What is happening in the brain when allodynia occurs, and why is it important?
- How is migraine similar to and different from sensory processing differences in conditions like autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
- What changes can people make in their surroundings to help with light, sound, scent, or motion sensitivity?
- Besides medication, are there skills or habits that can raise the brain’s tolerance to sensory input over time?
- What can someone do during an acute episode of migraine or sensory overload?
Interview Notes
- Amaal J. Starling, MD
- American Headache Society
- Mayo Clinic Pain Rehabilitation Center (PRC)
- Study: “Electrophysiological finding in migraine may reflect abnormal synaptic plasticity mechanisms: A narrative review”
- Study: “Lack of habituation in migraine patients based on high-density EEG analysis using the steady state of visual evoked potential”
- Article: “Migraine Changes the Brain — Neuroimaging Makes its Mark”
- Article: “Pathophysiology of Migraine: A Disorder of Sensory Processing”
Treatments Mentioned
- Aquatic exercise
- Biofeedback
- Box breathing
- CGRP inhibitors
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Exposure therapy
- Mindfulness
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR)
- Recumbent exercise
- SEEDS (sleep, exercise, eating, diet, & stress management)
- Systemic desensitization
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Disclaimer: The Migraine World Summit aims to bring you a variety of perspectives and expertise, free from bias or judgment. Alternative theories presented in this video have not been medically reviewed. Views expressed in this interview do not necessarily represent the views of the Migraine World Summit. Please always consult your health care professional and do your own research before making changes to your treatment plan. Captions are auto-generated and may contain errors.
Amaal J. Starling, MD, FAHS, FAAN
Neurologist
Mayo Clinic
Dr. Amaal J. Starling is an associate professor of neurology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. She joined the Mayo Clinic in 2012 and is currently a consultant within the Department of Neurology and the program director for the Headache Medicine Fellowship. Dr. Starling received her MD from the Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. She completed a transitional year residency, a neurology residency, and a headache fellowship at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Dr. Starling is an active member of numerous migraine advocacy organizations, including the American Headache Society (AHS), the American Migraine Foundation, and the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). She is also involved in events supporting migraine, including Headache on the Hill, Miles for Migraine, and the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy. Dr. Starling is currently serving on the AHS board of directors and is the chair of the AHS Advocacy Committee and a member of the AHS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force. Dr. Starling has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the AHS Above and Beyond Award for Service, Manfred D. Muenter Award for Excellence in Clinical Neurology, the AAN Annual Meeting Residency Scholarship, the 2012 Spirit of Mayo Clinic Award, and the Mayo Brothers Distinguished Fellowship Award.
Dr. Starling has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and abstracts related to her fields of interest, which include migraine, concussion, post-traumatic headache, neuromodulation, and telemedicine. Dr. Starling’s hope is that her research and advocacy will advance care for people with migraine, post-traumatic headache, and other headache disorders. She envisions a future in which all people with headache disorders receive personalized, effective, and well-tolerated treatment options to improve their quality of life.
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Over the past 50 years, our mission at the National Headache Foundation has been to further awareness of headache and migraine as legitimate neurobiological diseases. Much has changed during this time. With aid from advanced technology and clinical innovation, there are more treatment options than ever before. However, we understand that these diseases are still largely misunderstood and that finding the right treatment options for you requires insight.
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