Migraine in the cradle of civilization: Evaluating ancient Mesopotamian texts through the lens of ICHD-3.

Migraine is a common neurological disorder that affects many people today. Researchers wanted to see if ancient texts described similar migraine symptoms. They studied 37 cuneiform medical texts from ancient Mesopotamia. These texts were written in Akkadian and date back to the second and first millennia BCE. The study focused on texts that did not mention secondary headaches or aura symptoms. They looked for specific migraine symptoms based on modern diagnostic criteria. Out of the 37 texts, 15 described prolonged pain, which matched one criterion. All 37 texts mentioned pain that was unilateral, throbbing, and severe, fulfilling another criterion. This suggests that ancient civilizations recognized migraine-like symptoms long before modern diagnoses. By examining these ancient texts, we gain insights into the history of migraine and its recognition in early medicine. Clinical relevance: This research indicates that migraine symptoms have been recognized for millennia, potentially enhancing our understanding of migraine management and treatment today.