Abnormal perceptual experiences in migraine.

The prevalence of abnormal perceptual experiences as symptoms of migraine attacks was determined in a consecutive series of 46 new female referrals to a migraine clinic. All patients met the diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Society for migraine with aura or migraine without aura and had no other serious physical illness. Seven patients (15%) reported abnormal perceptions (olfactory and/or gustatory hallucinations and distortions of body image) as part of most migraine attacks. A statistically significant association was found between these abnormal perceptual experiences and complaints of mood change, particularly increased depression and irritability, as part of most migraine attacks. It is suggested that spreading depression of cortical electrical activity may be responsible for the manifestations of temporal lobe and limbic system dysfunction.