FRIDAY, April 17, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Short-term and cumulative exposure to ambient air pollution as well as climatic factors are associated with increased migraine activity, according to a study published online April 15, 2026. Neurology.
Ido Peles, MD, of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be’er Sheva, Israel, and colleagues conducted a population-based crossover study among migraineurs identified from the Negev Migraine Cohort to determine the medium- and short-term effects of environmental exposures on migraine activity.
A total of 7,032 adults with migraine living in Be’er Sheva were included in the analysis. Researchers found that short-term exposure to nitrogen gas (NO2) and solar radiation were associated with an increased risk
emergency encounters related to migraine (odds ratio, 1.41 and 1.23, respectively). Increased use of triptans has been observed in association with the cumulative effects of NO2 and particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) exposure during the previous trimester (incidence rate ratios, 1.10 and 1.09, respectively). Short-term effects varied with weekly climate conditions; NO2-the risk associated with high temperature and low humidity in summer was increased (odds ratio, 2.18), while exposure to PM2.5 was more severe during cold, wet winter weeks (odds ratio, 3.78).
“These results help us understand how and when migraine attacks occur,” Peles said in a statement. “They suggest that for people who are prone to migraines, environmental factors may play two roles in the onset: medium-term factors such as heat and humidity may alter the risk of attacks, while short-term factors such as increased levels of pollution may trigger attacks.”
One author revealed a connection with the pharmaceutical industry.
Abstract / Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
